Combined gene therapy for angiogenesis and muscle growth modifies several cell types and enhances hypertrophy and body composition

Blood capillary vessels are important for muscle growth and function. The aim of this study was to combine gene therapy with Pro-MSTN (myostatin propeptide) and VEGF-B (Vascular Endothelial Growth factor B) to induce skeletal muscle hypertrophy and angiogenesis simultaneously in mouse skeletal muscles. Previously, effects of VEGF-B and MSTN blocking have been studied at the whole muscle level, but in the present study, with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNASeq), we give also insights into cell-type specific actions. Mice TA (m. tibialis anterior) muscles were injected i.m. with rAAVs (CTRL, Pro-MSTN and VEGF-B) alone or in combination. Muscle mononuclear cells were isolated and analyzed by using 10x Genomics scRNASeq.