San Diego-based Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute researchers studied what causes muscle stem cells to react differently to aging and injury, according to News Medical Life Sciences.
Cell Stem Cell published the study.
Here are six insights:
1. Researcher Alessandra Sacco, PhD, told News Medical Life Sciences his team examined the "dynamic heterogeneity of the cells, a measure of their flexibility to respond to exercise, injury and the normal wear and tear that occurs with aging."
2. Leveraging in vivo multi lineage tracing technology, the researchers analyzed the "self-renewal capacity and range of progeny" of the stem cells, according to News Medical Life Sciences.
3. The researchers discovered differences for which the stem cells maintained the heterogeneity based on the circumstance.
4. The study revealed that although aged muscle stem cells struggled with proliferating and multiplying, they kept a diverse cell pool.
5. If an injury occurred, the stem cells lost diversity, but were able to proliferate.
6. The researchers concluded their findings imply there is not one answer to stop the deterioration of muscle stem cells. They suggest alternative therapeutic strategies for patients suffering from degenerative diseases.