MONTREAL, July 1, 2025 - Imagine stem cells with rapid healing powers—a bit like Wolverine from X-Men—but in real life! A team led by researcher Nicolas Dumont recently made a significant discovery about bioactive lipids and their role in muscle regeneration. The study, published in Nature Communications, has shed light on a key mechanism through which these lipids regulate the function of muscle stem cells and their ability to regenerate injured muscles. This breakthrough offers promising prospects for the treatment of certain degenerative diseases.
From stem cell to human, via Québec!
The research team's mission is to better understand the mechanisms of muscle stem cell regeneration and to clarify their role in the healing process, particularly in the context of rare neuromuscular diseases. Their focus has been on bioactive lipids, which are still relatively unexplored and play a crucial role in regulating inflammation and tissue repair.
The team used a murine model of isolated muscle stem cells cultured in vitro to study the impact of bioactive lipids on cell proliferation and differentiation. They then collaborated with teams at Université Laval to measure these lipids and validate their discoveries in the laboratory on human cells. Their results showed that decreasing an enzyme (ALOX15) responsible for forming bioactive lipids also decreases one’s ability to regenerate muscles after injury.
They have also shown that treatment with Protectin D1 (one of these bioactive lipids) can restore muscle regeneration potential. In fact, the molecule improved muscle function in mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, suggesting promising therapeutic potential for this debilitating genetic disease, which affects around one in every 4,000 boys. "Bioactive lipids act as conductors of muscle regeneration. By targeting them, we are paving the way to innovative treatments for diseases that so far have no lasting solution,” says a delighted Nicolas Dumont, Associate Professor at Université de Montréal's School of Rehabilitation and Canada Research Chair in Stem Cells and Neuromuscular Diseases.
Moving toward the therapies of tomorrow
Until now, available treatments, such as glucocorticoids, have focused mainly on reducing inflammation and slowing down muscle degeneration, often with significant side effects (anxiety and depression, cataracts, weight gain, osteoporosis, etc.). This new study reinforces the idea that it is now possible to directly target muscle regeneration mechanisms using synthetic analogues of bioactive lipids. "This discovery could transform the treatment of degenerative muscle diseases by offering more effective and less invasive therapeutic approaches," stresses PhD student Paul Fabre, who led the study under the supervision of Nicolas Dumont. These new treatments could not only restore muscle function, but also reduce side effects, offering patients a better quality of life.
What are bioactive lipids?
These are molecules derived from fat that play an active role in the body. They can bind to receptors on cells and trigger important responses, such as reducing inflammation or helping to repair tissue. They are therefore chemical messengers that directly influence cell function.
Photo (from left to right) : Alyson Deprez, Nicolas Dumont, Paul Fabre, Thomas Molina and Ines Mokhtari © CHU Sainte-Justine (Véronique Lavoie)
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