Figure 2. Levels of CD133+CXCD4+CD34- and CD133+CXCX4+CD34+ subpopulations are shown in DMD patients (A) and healthy controls (B) stratified for age.

Levels of CD133+CXCR4+CD34- cells were constantly higher than CD133+CXCX4+CD34+ cells in both DMD patients and controls. DMD patients showed a nadir at the age of 4 years and one at the age of 9, with an overall tendency towards reduction with increasing age. Linear regression analysis of DMD patient data revealed a significant negative correlation (r² = 0.056; P = 0.045) between the level of CD133+CXCR4+CD34- cells and age (C), while no significant correlation (r² = 0.003; P = 0.63) between the level of CD133+CXCR4+CD34+ cells and age was observed (D).