Minimally Invasive Muscle Embedding Generates Donor-Cell-Derived Muscle Fibers that Express Desmin and Dystrophin.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to quantify the extent of donor-cell-derived myogenesis achieved by a novel surgical technique known as Minimally Invasive Muscle Embedding (MIME). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Through MIME, we implanted a single extensor digitorum longus muscle from donor mice (N = 2) that expressed a red fluorescent protein (RFP), into the left tibialis anterior (TA) muscle of immunodeficient host mice (N = 4) that expressed a green fluorescent protein (GFP). Soon after MIME, we injected a myotoxin (barium chloride), into the host TA muscle, to trigger concerted muscle degeneration and regeneration. In lieu of MIME, we performed a SHAM procedure on the right TA muscle of the same set of animals. RESULTS: In MIME-treated muscles, 22% ± 7% and 78% ± 7% muscle fibers were RFP+ and GFP+, respectively (mean ± standard deviation); and all RFP+ fibers were positive for desmin and dystrophin. Conclusion. We conclude that MIME helps generate muscle fibers of donor origin, in host muscle.