Muscle progenitor cells in skeletal muscle

Although not numerous, satellite cells in skeletal muscle are capable to generate a large number of myoblasts upon injury. A further process of regenerative myogenesis leads to the muscle regeneration. Satellite cells are stem cells specific to skeletal muscle tissue. Their activation initiates the sequence of expression in myogenic regulatory factors and thus myogenic program. Besides the ability to provide new myoblasts, these cells also have selfrenewing capacity. Satellite cells are a heterogeneous group of cells considering their function and distinction markers. Several other types of stem cells with myogenic ability (in experimental conditions) have been isolated from the skeletal muscle. Therapeutic approaches to treat some forms of muscular diseases have been based on myogenic potential of both groups of stem cells.