Myogenic precursor cell transplantation in pigs: a step towards a clinical use for muscle regeneration?

It is most probable that, in a near future, myogenic precursor cell transplants will have clinical applications in domains as different as orthopaedics, endocrinology, management of heart infarct, and therapies of muscle diseases. We have proposed to introduce the use of myogenic precursor cell transplantation in patients, after preliminary tests in a large animal model, the pig. Our initial effort was centred on the domain of orthopaedics. Muscle damages are frequent complications of traumas and sport accidents with serious consequences both in terms of disabilities and health economics. Often these lesions heal very poorly. A number of growth factors seemed successful as healing agents but they are difficult to deliver clinically. The goal was to use ex vivo somatic gene therapy with myogenic precursor cells modified to secrete growth factors with the aim of improving muscle healing in patients and of demonstrating the potential of this technology. To do so, we used a suitable large animal model, the pig, for exploring myogenic precursor cell transplantation strategies that could be used in patients.