Limb Muscle Progenitor Cells (FMtm)

Limb muscle progenitor cells are highly proliferative Pax3-positive cells originating from the ventrolateral lip (VLL) of the dermomyotome, from which they delaminate and migrate to the limb bud area. In mice, delamination and migration start on E9.5 in the forelimb and ends on day 11.5 in the hindlimb. As soon as the cells reach their destination in the limb bud, they stop proliferating and start differentiating. Proliferating and migrating limb muscle progenitor cells are found under apical ectodermal ridge (AER) throughout the proximo-distal growth of the limb bud, enabling continuous formation of limb muscles.