In mouse models of ALS, muscle progenitor cells (MPC) expressing various neurotrophic factors (NTF), such as BDNF, GDNF, VEGF, or insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), demonstrate longer times until disease onset and death, and improved neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and axon stability.128 Similarly, in hMSCs, hMSC overexpressing GDNF or VEGF had substantial functional and survival successes in a rat model of ALS. The gene discussed is BDNF; the disease is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.