Year 3

In the final year of this grant we have developed methods to prospectively isolate and characterize human muscle stem cells from patient biopsies obtained from Stanford clinics. We have shown that isolated mouse muscle stem cells (MuSCs) can restore urinary sphincter function in immunodeficient mice following bilateral pudendal nerve transection injury (BPNT).

Specifically we have found that human prospectively isolated MuSCs regenerate injured muscle fibers following transplantation and home to and seed the stem cell niche, thereby creating a reservoir to meet future needs for muscle regeneration. Finally, our recent results have shown evidence that transplantation of muscle stem cells into an immunodeficient mouse model of stress urinary incontinence leads to integration of the transplanted cells into the striated muscle of the urinary sphincter, contribution to endogenous myofibers, and restoration of function.