Fibro-Adipogenic Progenitor Isolation, Expansion, and Differentiation from the Spiny Mouse Model

Due to its exceptional repair program, the spiny mouse is an emerging research model for regenerative medicine. Fibro-adipogenic progenitors are tissue-resident cells that are able to differentiate into adipocytes, fibroblasts, and chondrocytes. Fibro-adipogenic progenitors are fundamental for orchestrating tissue regeneration as they are responsible for extracellular matrix remodeling after injury. This study focuses on investigating the specific role of fibro-adipogenic progenitors in spiny mouse cardiac repair and skeletal muscle regeneration. To this end, a protocol has been optimized for the purification of spiny mouse fibro-adipogenic progenitors by flow cytometry from enzymatically dissociated skeletal and cardiac muscle. The population obtained from this protocol is capable of expanding in vitro, and can be differentiated to myofibroblasts and adipocytes. This protocol offers a valuable tool for researchers to examine the distinctive properties of spiny mouse, and to compare them to the Mus musculus. This will provide insights that could advance the understanding of regenerative mechanisms in this intriguing model.