Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a recessive, X-linked skeletal muscle disorder that is characterised by muscle tissue weakness and wasting. In DMD, muscle cells lose the ability to regenerate in response to injury, and ultimately undergo necrosis. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is another condition in which the regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle cells is impaired, but, in this case, muscle loss occurs via atrophy. In light of recent evidence that biomaterials mimicking healthy extracellular matrix can enhance regeneration, Kuraitis et al. explored the therapeutic potential of a collagen-based matrix in mice. Treatment with the matrix promoted skeletal muscle regeneration in vivo and in vitro; however, the positive effects were observed only in a necrotic environment. This study provides a promising new therapy for skeletal muscle disorders that involve active necrosis, such as DMD. Page 793

Written by editorial staff. © 2013. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.
2013
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