In vitro Differentiation of ESCs/iPSCs to Myogenic Lineage: Moving towards Cell Therapy

Directed cell lineage differentiation in vitro combined with genetic modification approaches provides an enormous range of possibilities to treat muscular degenerative diseases such as muscular dystrophies (MDs). Currently, no effective therapy is available to treat any form of MDs, which are characterized by progressive muscle wasting and weakness [1]. The limited efficacy of conventional drugs slow down the progress of the disease to certain level, yet the long-term course cannot be changed. Hence, cell-based therapies represent a promising strategy to treat MDs.