Damage Stalled, Stopped in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Mouse Model
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a rare genetic disorder, leads to muscle death and the formation of scar tissue due to a mutant copy of the dystrophin gene. Average DMD life expectancy is 25. While no cure exists, recent stem cell work in a mouse model reveals a possible therapy. Researchers led by Suzanne Berry-Miller generated aorta-derived mesoangioblast stem cells and then injected the cells into the hearts of dystrophin-deficient mice. The results, reported in Science and Translational Medicine, showed treatment delayed or prevented cardiac muscle damage.