Ex Vivo Visualization and Analysis of the Muscle Stem Cell Niche.

Abstract

Adult skeletal muscle stem cells, termed satellite cells, are essential for regenerating muscle after tissue damage. Satellite cells are located in a specialized microenvironment between muscle fibers and their surrounding basal lamina. This local niche serves as a compartment to preserve satellite cell function and provides signals that facilitate the rapid response to injury. Visualization of this local niche enables the elucidation of such niche-derived signals. Here, we describe techniques for isolating single myofibers with their associated satellite cells for ex vivo visualization and analysis of an intact muscle stem cell niche.