Differences in embryological origin, regenerative potential and susceptibility to muscular diseases exist between the skeletal muscles of the head and those of the trunk and limbs. In particular, the oculomotor muscles are not affected (or are only slightly affected) in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. They are also distinctive for the key role played by the Pitx2 transcription factor during their embryonic development.
- A team from the Institut Pasteur recently demonstrated that the satellite cells of the oculomotor muscles enter quiescence earlier than those of the limb muscles and that they do not proliferate spontaneously in adulthood.
- It has also highlighted the interactions between Pitx2, Pax7 and Myf5 in the regulation and maintenance of extra-ocular muscle stem cells.
