Basic principles of muscle healing

Abstract

Skeletal muscle has the ability to regenerate following injury, and this response implicates a specific type of resident muscle stem cell, the satellite cell. Three main phases have been identified in the process of muscle regeneration, including (I) a destruction phase with the initial inflammatory response, (II) a repair phase with the activation of satellite cells, and (III) a remodeling phase with the maturation of the regenerated myofibers. Nevertheless, in severe muscle injuries, we also observed the formation of fibrosis that impairs muscle function. Various strategies, including the use of growth factors, transplantation of muscle stem cells, or antifibrotic therapies, may become therapeutic alternatives to improve functional recovery after severe muscle injuries.