Mesenchymal stem cells augment the adaptive response to eccentric exercise.

Purpose: The α7β1 integrin is a transmembrane protein expressed in the skeletal muscle that can link the actin cytoskeleton to the surrounding basal lamina. We have previously demonstrated that transgenic mice overexpressing the α7B integrin in the skeletal muscle (MCK:α7B; α7Tg) mount an enhanced satellite cell and growth response to single or multiple bouts of eccentric exercise. In addition, interstitial stem cells characterized as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) accumulate in α7Tg muscle (mMSCs) in the sedentary state and after exercise.