Chapter 8 Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cell Cultures

Abstract

Publisher Summary Skeletal muscle satellite cell culture techniques have provided a means for coupling muscle structural and physiological observations to cellular and molecular explanations. Intrinsic properties of these myogenic cells have been studied in vitro , and it has become apparent that the satellite cell has properties that are distinctly different from those of embryonic or fetal myogenic cells. This chapter describes two types of satellite cell culture procedures—(1) monolayer mass cultures of dissociated satellite cells and (2) single muscle fiber cultures with their associated satellite cells—and discusses their application. In both cases, cells and fibers are isolated directly from experimental subjects. The general cellular processes that have been studied in satellite cell culture systems include activation from the quiescent state, migration, proliferation, and differentiation or return to quiescence. There are advantages and disadvantages to each of the culture systems and one single culture system may not be adequate for addressing all experimental questions.