In vitro analysis of genome-engineered muscle-derived stem cells for autoregulated anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic activity.

Traumatic muscle injury leads to chronic and pathologic fibrosis in skeletal muscles, primarily driven through upregulation of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Cell-based therapies, such as injection of muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs), have shown promise in muscle repair. However, injected MDSCs in injured skeletal muscle can differentiate into myofibroblasts under the influence of TGF-β1, and contribute to the development of fibrosis, limiting their regenerative potential.