In 2002 we published an article describing a population of vessel-associated progenitors that we termed mesoangioblasts (MABs). During the past decade evidence had accumulated that during muscle development and regeneration things may be more complex than a simple sequence of binary choices (e.g., dorsal vs. ventral somite). LacZ expressing fibroblasts could fuse with unlabelled myoblasts but not among themselves or with other cell types. Bone marrow derived, circulating progenitors were able to participate in muscle regeneration, though in very small percentage. Searching for the embryonic origin of these progenitors, we identified them as originating at least in part from the embryonic aorta and, at later stages, from the microvasculature of skeletal muscle. While continuing to investigate origin and fate of MABs, the fact that they could be expanded in vitro (also from human muscle) and cross the vessel wall, suggested a protocol for the cell therapy of muscular dystrophies. We tested this protocol in mice and dogs before proceeding to the first clinical trial on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patients that showed safety but minimal efficacy. In the last years, we have worked to overcome the problem of low engraftment and tried to understand their role as auxiliary myogenic progenitors during development and regeneration.

Cossu, G., Tonlorenzi, R., Brunelli, S., Sampaolesi, M., Messina, G., Azzoni, E., et al. (2023). Mesoangioblasts at 20: From the embryonic aorta to the patient bed. FRONTIERS IN GENETICS, 13 [10.3389/fgene.2022.1056114].

Mesoangioblasts at 20: From the embryonic aorta to the patient bed

Brunelli, Silvia
;
Azzoni, Emanuele;
2023

Abstract

In 2002 we published an article describing a population of vessel-associated progenitors that we termed mesoangioblasts (MABs). During the past decade evidence had accumulated that during muscle development and regeneration things may be more complex than a simple sequence of binary choices (e.g., dorsal vs. ventral somite). LacZ expressing fibroblasts could fuse with unlabelled myoblasts but not among themselves or with other cell types. Bone marrow derived, circulating progenitors were able to participate in muscle regeneration, though in very small percentage. Searching for the embryonic origin of these progenitors, we identified them as originating at least in part from the embryonic aorta and, at later stages, from the microvasculature of skeletal muscle. While continuing to investigate origin and fate of MABs, the fact that they could be expanded in vitro (also from human muscle) and cross the vessel wall, suggested a protocol for the cell therapy of muscular dystrophies. We tested this protocol in mice and dogs before proceeding to the first clinical trial on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patients that showed safety but minimal efficacy. In the last years, we have worked to overcome the problem of low engraftment and tried to understand their role as auxiliary myogenic progenitors during development and regeneration.
Articolo in rivista - Review Essay
mesoderm; muscle development; muscular dystrophy; myogenic stem cells; pericyte;
English
4-gen-2023
2023
13
1056114
open
Cossu, G., Tonlorenzi, R., Brunelli, S., Sampaolesi, M., Messina, G., Azzoni, E., et al. (2023). Mesoangioblasts at 20: From the embryonic aorta to the patient bed. FRONTIERS IN GENETICS, 13 [10.3389/fgene.2022.1056114].
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Cossu-2023-Front Genet-VoR.pdf

accesso aperto

Descrizione: Review
Tipologia di allegato: Publisher’s Version (Version of Record, VoR)
Licenza: Creative Commons
Dimensione 2.33 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
2.33 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/402482
Citazioni
  • Scopus 4
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 4
Social impact