The present invention provides muscle-derived cells, preferably myoblasts andmuscle-derived stem cells, genetically engineered to contain and express oneor more heterologous genes or functional segments of such genes, for deliveryof the encoded gene products at or near sites of musculoskeletal, bone,ligament, meniscus, cartilage or genitourinary disease, injury, defect, ordysfunction. Ex vivo myoblast mediated gene delivery of human inducible nitricoxide synthase, and the resulting production of nitric oxide at and around thesite of injury, are particularly provided by the invention as a treatment forlower genitourinary tract dysfunctions. Ex vivo gene transfer for themusculoskeletal system includes genes encoding acidic fibroblast growthfactor, basic fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, insulin-likegrowth factor, platelet derived growth factor, transforming growth factor-.beta., transforming growth factor-.alpha., nerve growth factor andinterleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP), bone morphogenetic protein(BMPs), cartilage derived morphogenetic protein (CDMPs), vascular endothelialgrowth factor (VEGF), and sonic hedgehog proteins.
