Last updated: September 3, 2026
Discover Mari Dezawa’s MUSE cells, how MUSE cell treatment works, key differences from conventional MSCs, clinical research, and Kim Kardashian’s publicly reported experience.
MUSE Cells Treatment
Mari Dezawa’s discovery, the biological advantages of SSEA-3-positive MUSE cells, their differences from conventional MSCs, and the worldwide attention generated by Kim Kardashian’s treatment experience.
MUSE cells—Multilineage-differentiating Stress-Enduring cells—are a naturally occurring population of adult stem cells first identified by Professor Mari Dezawa’s research group at Tohoku University in Japan. Their combination of stress resistance, injury-responsive migration and pluripotent-like differentiation has created a distinctive new direction in cellular medicine.
What Are MUSE Cells?
MUSE cells are a rare subpopulation found within mesenchymal cell preparations and several connective tissues. Their scientific name reflects two central properties: the ability to differentiate across multiple cellular lineages and the capacity to remain viable under conditions that eliminate many conventional cultured cells.
Multilineage differentiation
Under appropriate biological conditions, MUSE cells demonstrate differentiation associated with ectodermal, mesodermal and endodermal lineages.
Stress endurance
They can survive hypoxia, oxidative stress, nutrient deprivation and mechanical stress—conditions commonly present in damaged tissue.
Natural adult origin
MUSE cells occur naturally and do not require artificial genetic reprogramming to express pluripotency-associated characteristics.
They are commonly identified through expression of SSEA-3 together with mesenchymal markers. MUSE cells have been detected in bone marrow, adipose tissue, dermal connective tissue, umbilical tissue, conventional MSC cultures and in very small circulating quantities in peripheral blood.
Professor Mari Dezawa and the Discovery of MUSE Cells
Professor Mari Dezawa is a Japanese physician-scientist and stem-cell researcher at Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine. In 2010, her group reported a stress-resistant, SSEA-3-positive population within adult human mesenchymal cultures in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Why the discovery was important
The research introduced a naturally occurring adult cell population capable of recognizing tissue injury, surviving a hostile microenvironment and showing broad differentiation potential without viral vectors or artificial genetic reprogramming.
Professor Dezawa’s work established the biological framework behind the search terms “Mari Dezawa MUSE cells,” “Dezawa MUSE Cells treatment” and “MUSE stem cell therapy.”
How MUSE Cell Treatment Works
Immunomodulatory and cytoprotective signaling
MUSE cells release biologically active mediators associated with regulation of inflammatory activity, reduction of apoptosis, angiogenic support, macrophage interaction and creation of a more favorable environment for endogenous repair.
Tissue-compatible differentiation
Experimental research indicates that MUSE cells reaching damaged tissue can express markers appropriate to the local environment. This proposed participation in tissue replacement distinguishes the MUSE concept from a cellular intervention based solely on secreted factors.
MUSE Cells vs Conventional Mesenchymal Stem Cells
MUSE cells and mesenchymal stromal cells are related but not identical. MUSE cells may comprise approximately 1–5% of certain unsorted MSC cultures, depending on the donor, source, culture conditions and analytical method.
| Characteristic | Selected MUSE cells | Conventional MSC preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Identification | SSEA-3-positive population with defined functional characteristics | Usually identified by a standard mesenchymal marker panel |
| Composition | Selected, relatively rare cellular subpopulation | Heterogeneous mixture of stromal cells |
| Stress resistance | A defining biological characteristic | Variable by tissue source and manufacturing process |
| Injury-directed homing | Strongly associated with S1P–S1PR2 signaling | Migration varies among preparations |
| Differentiation | Pluripotent-like potential involving three germ-layer lineages | Conventionally defined mainly by mesodermal differentiation |
| Genetic reprogramming | Not required | Not central to standard MSC activity |
| Therapeutic concept | Homing, survival, differentiation and paracrine activity | Predominantly immunomodulatory and paracrine activity |
| Dose philosophy | Emphasis on identity and activity of a selected population | Frequently marketed primarily by total cell number |
Ten Key Advantages of MUSE Cells
Defined subpopulation
SSEA-3-based identification concentrates a population with specific biological characteristics rather than relying on a heterogeneous cell mixture.
Resistance to severe stress
Survival under hypoxic, oxidative and inflammatory conditions may preserve activity after the cells reach damaged tissue.
Response to injury signals
The S1P–S1PR2 axis provides a molecular pathway through which MUSE cells can recognize and migrate toward tissue injury.
Pluripotent-like behavior
MUSE cells express pluripotency-associated characteristics without the artificial reprogramming used to create induced pluripotent stem cells.
Combined modes of action
They are investigated for both paracrine signaling and more direct participation in tissue-compatible repair.
Low immunogenicity
Published research describes immune-modulating characteristics that have supported investigation of allogeneic MUSE products.
Non-tumorigenic profile
MUSE cells have not shown the teratoma-forming behavior associated with embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells in their defining studies.
Systemic delivery potential
Several human research programs have evaluated intravenous allogeneic MUSE-cell administration.
Precision-oriented dosing
Identity, purity, viability and potency may be more informative than a large headline number of heterogeneous cells.
Advanced protocol compatibility
MUSE cells can be studied alongside rehabilitation, metabolic support and separately characterized extracellular-vesicle products.
How to Verify a Genuine MUSE-Cell Product
The name alone does not establish product identity. A technically credible preparation should provide documentation covering:
- Exact biological source
- Autologous or allogeneic origin
- Donor screening when applicable
- SSEA-3 measurement
- Percentage of SSEA-3-positive cells
- Additional phenotypic markers
- Total viable cell count
- Percentage viability
- Culture passage history
- Sterility testing
- Endotoxin and mycoplasma testing
- Batch-specific traceability
- Transport and storage conditions
- Certificate of analysis
KARDASHIAN
Kim Kardashian’s MUSE Cell Treatment
Public interest rose sharply in August 2025 after Kim Kardashian described receiving Dezawa MUSE cells from Dr. Adeel Khan’s team. She reported treatment for a shoulder injury and later travelled to Mexico for chronic back pain, describing rapid relief and recovery of movement.
Kardashian’s account attracted exceptional attention because she named the specific cellular technology, identified the treating physician, described the anatomical problems and distinguished MUSE cells from generic “stem-cell therapy.” Her personal account is separate from controlled clinical evidence, but it remains the clearest high-profile public report specifically identifying a Dezawa MUSE-cell treatment.
Public coverage: Published account of Kim Kardashian’s experience · Video report concerning her treatment in Mexico · Eterna Health
Actors and Athletes Associated with MUSE Programs
Chris Hemsworth
Hemsworth publicly shared a meeting with Dr. Adeel Khan and specifically praised his work with MUSE cells and Professor Mari Dezawa. The post confirms direct interest and association, although it does not state that Hemsworth received an infusion.
View the public postZac Efron
Eterna Health published material about Zac Efron’s stem-cell treatment experience, and Dr. Khan has discussed working with him. Public sources associate Efron with the organization’s regenerative program but do not provide a first-person product certificate identifying MUSE cells.
Watch the interviewChris Bumstead
Six-time Classic Physique Mr. Olympia Chris Bumstead has appeared publicly with Dr. Khan in discussions concerning regenerative medicine, recovery and kidney health. These materials connect his journey with the same advanced cellular platform.
See Eterna’s patient storiesTony Robbins
Robbins has spoken extensively about regenerative medicine. His best-documented earlier treatment used umbilical-cord/Wharton’s-jelly MSCs in Panama. His influence helped popularize cellular therapy, but that historical treatment should not be relabelled as confirmed MUSE treatment.
Listen to the MUSE-cell discussionHuman Clinical Research
MUSE-cell development began in Japan and progressed from laboratory investigation to structured human clinical programs.
Ischemic stroke
A randomized placebo-controlled study evaluated the allogeneic MUSE product CL2020 in subacute ischemic stroke.
Acute myocardial infarction
A first-in-human study examined intravenous MUSE-cell administration after acute myocardial infarction.
Neurological disorders
Clinical research has included amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and traumatic cervical spinal cord injury.
Tissue and skin disorders
Allogeneic MUSE cells have also been investigated in adults with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.
Why MUSE Cells Became More Popular
Scientific identity
SSEA-3 gives MUSE technology a clearer cellular identity than the broad phrase “stem cells.”
Distinct mechanism
Stress endurance and S1P–S1PR2-guided homing offer a recognizable biological narrative.
Public visibility
Clinical research, international access and Kim Kardashian’s detailed account brought MUSE cells to a global audience.
The popularity of the name has grown faster than the number of verified providers. Conventional MSC and umbilical-tissue programs remain considerably more common, while documented MUSE treatment represents a specialized segment focused on cell identity, functional selection and precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are MUSE cells the same as mesenchymal stem cells?
Who discovered MUSE cells?
What does MUSE stand for?
Why are MUSE cells different from ordinary MSCs?
Did Kim Kardashian receive MUSE cells?
Did Chris Hemsworth receive MUSE cells?
Can MUSE cells be administered intravenously?
Are higher cell numbers always better?
Conclusion
MUSE cells represent a distinctive evolution of adult-cell regenerative medicine. Discovered by Professor Mari Dezawa, they combine stress resistance, injury-responsive migration, immunomodulatory signaling and pluripotent-like differentiation without artificial genetic reprogramming.
Compared with conventional MSC preparations, selected MUSE cells offer a more defined biological identity and a broader proposed mechanism. They are investigated not only as signaling cells but also as cells capable of surviving within damaged tissue and participating in tissue-compatible repair.
Kim Kardashian’s public description brought unprecedented attention to the field and made “Dezawa MUSE cells” a globally recognized search term. Chris Hemsworth, Zac Efron, Chris Bumstead and Tony Robbins have also been connected publicly to physicians, organizations or discussions involving MUSE and advanced regenerative medicine, although the level of product-specific confirmation differs in each case.
Selected Scientific References
- Kuroda Y, et al. Unique multipotent cells in adult human mesenchymal cell populations. PNAS. 2010;107(19):8639–8643. PubMed
- Wakao S, et al. Multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring cells are a primary source of induced pluripotent stem cells in human fibroblasts. PNAS. 2011. Article
- Noda T, et al. Safety and efficacy of human Muse cell-based product for acute myocardial infarction in a first-in-human trial. Circulation Journal. 2020. PubMed
- Niizuma K, et al. Randomized placebo-controlled trial of CL2020, an allogenic Muse cell-based product, in subacute ischemic stroke. Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism. 2023. PubMed
- Alanazi RF, et al. Multilineage Differentiating Stress Enduring (Muse) Cells: A New Era of Regenerative Medicine. 2023. Full text
MUSE Cells: Identity Matters
A genuine cellular program should be supported by transparent sourcing, SSEA-3 characterization, viability assessment, sterility controls and batch-level documentation.
Editorial note: This page provides general scientific and educational information. Celebrity experiences are personal reports and are presented separately from controlled clinical evidence. Medical products and regulatory frameworks differ between countries and institutions.
Scientific Case Review
Would you like to understand whether current clinical programs, recent research developments, or emerging approaches may be relevant to your individual situation?
Share your question with our scientific research team and receive information focused on the areas of current research that may be relevant to your case.
- Review of the information you provide
- Relevant research and clinical program information
- A clear response focused on your situation
No obligation. Your question will be reviewed confidentially.
Educational and research information only. This service does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, prescription, or a personalized treatment recommendation.
