中国生物工程杂志

Muscle recently has been identified as a good source of adult stem cells that can differentiate into cells of different lineages. Researchers have identified two types of stem cells in skeletal muscle. Further research is necessary to delineate the relationship between different populations of muscle-derived stem cells（MDSCs）and between MDSCs and other adult stem cells. The methods used to isolate these cells appear to influence the stem cell characteristics. As these efforts continue, the potential for MDSCs-based therapy for other musculoskeletal injuries, as well as for cardiac and smooth muscle injuries, is currently being explored. This article summarizes the behavior, biocharacteristic, isolation, differentiation and the probability of application to regenerate lost or diseased tissue of MDSCs.