Muscle Stem Cell Homeostasis and Regeneration in Muscular Dystrophies

Adult skeletal muscle possesses a remarkable regenerative capacity, largely mediated by muscle stem cell population, termed as muscle satellite cells (MuSCs). MuSCs reside in a quiescent state beneath the basal lamina of muscle fibers in skeletal muscle. Following muscle injury, MuSCs become activated generate myogenic progenitors and start proliferation. After several rounds of cell cycles, they subsequently differentiate into post-mitotic myocytes and fuse to form multinucleated myotubes. A subset of activated MuSCs returns to quiescent MuSCs as a self-renewal, thereby maintaining the stem cell pool for future regeneration.Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked progressive neuromuscular disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Dystrophin protein is a key component of the dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex (DGC), which links the intracellular actin filaments to the extracellular matrix and protects muscle fibers from contraction-induced damage. In addition, recent finding revealed that dystrophin expressed in MuSCs contributes to the regulation of cell polarity and asymmetric division, and its loss induces MuSC function deficiencies, and thus impaired muscle regeneration.This Research Topic welcomes comprehensive reviews and original research articles that advance our understanding of muscle stem cell biology in skeletal muscle homeostasis, regeneration, aging, and disease. Particular emphasis is placed on the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating muscle stem cell, asymmetric cell division, proliferation, self-renewal, differentiation, and interactions with the surrounding niche cells. In addition, we welcome papers to describe how disruption of these processes contributes to impaired muscle regeneration and muscle atrophy in DMD and other muscular dystrophies. Studies exploring emerging strategies to enhance muscle stem cell function and regenerative capacity, including stem cell-based approaches, exon skipping, gene therapy, gene editing, and modulation of vascular and other niche components, are also welcome. Furthermore, this Research Topic welcomes studies applying advanced technologies—including high-resolution imaging, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenomic approaches, and systems biology—to uncover novel mechanisms underlying muscle stem cell function and skeletal muscle biology.This Research Topic welcomes original research articles, reviews, and methodological studies addressing muscle stem cell biology and its relevance to muscular dystrophies. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:• In vitro and in vivo models of muscle stem cell quiescence, activation, self-renewal, differentiation, and maintenance• Functional interactions between muscle stem cells and their niche during muscle homeostasis, regeneration, and muscular dystrophy• Single-cell and spatial transcriptomic approaches to characterize muscle stem cells and their niche in muscular dystrophies• Epigenomic, proteomic, and systems biology approaches to uncover mechanisms of muscle regeneration and muscular dystrophy pathogenesis• Muscle stem cell transplantation and stem cell-based approaches for muscular dystrophies• Gene- and RNA-based approaches, including gene editing and exon skipping, for restoring muscle function• Roles of angiogenesis, vascular cells, and vascular–muscle stem cell interactions in muscle regeneration and muscular dystrophies• Emerging experimental models, imaging technologies, and computational approaches for investigating muscle stem cell function in health and disease Topic editors: Minoru Tanaka, Atsushi Asakura Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/87153/muscle-stem-cell-homeostasis-and-regeneration-in-muscular-dystrophies