Muscle fibre with satellite cell in red

The Myology group of the University Pierre et Marie Curie in Paris has recently identified a new population of muscle stem cells. This study shows that these muscle stem cells called ‘progenitor interstitial cells’ (PICs) can be isolated from the muscles of very young mice. Once they are isolated and cultured in the laboratory, PICs are able to form new muscle. Indeed, once they are reintroduced into the damaged muscles of mice, they help muscle repair as efficiently as satellite cells, the professional muscle stem cells. This work has identified a new source of stem cells in the muscle. However, whether PICs are present in adult muscles and contribute to their regeneration in muscle disease, are all questions that need further study.