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Isolation of Satellite Cells from Single Muscle Fibers from Young, Aged, or Dystrophic Muscles

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Progenitor Cells

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 916))

Abstract

Skeletal muscle contains an identified resident stem cell population called the satellite cells. This cell is responsible for the majority of the postnatal growth and regenerative potential of skeletal muscle. Other cells do contribute to skeletal muscle regeneration and in cultures of minced whole muscle these cells are cultured along with the satellite cells and it is impossible to dissect out their contribution compared to the satellite cells. Therefore, a method to culture pure satellite cells has been developed to study the signaling pathways that control their proliferation and differentiation. In our studies into the role of the resident myogenic stem cells in regeneration, myopathic conditions, and aging, we have optimized the established techniques that already exist to isolate pure satellite cell cultures from single muscle fibers. We have successfully isolated satellite cells from young adults through to 24-month-old muscles and obtained populations of cells that we are studying for the signaling events that regulate their proliferative potential.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the other lab members for their help and advice and encouragement especially Dr. X. Zhang. This work is supported by a studentship to V. Di Foggia from the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuroscience and Trauma, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK

    Valentina Di Foggia & Lesley Robson

Authors
  1. Valentina Di Foggia
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  2. Lesley Robson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lesley Robson .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fac. Life Sciences, Healing Foundation Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, United Kingdom

    Kimberly A. Mace

  2. School of Medicine & Dentistry, Centre for Cutaneous Research, Blizard I, Barts and The London, Newark Street 4, London, E1 2AT, United Kingdom

    Kristin M. Braun

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© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Di Foggia, V., Robson, L. (2012). Isolation of Satellite Cells from Single Muscle Fibers from Young, Aged, or Dystrophic Muscles. In: Mace, K., Braun, K. (eds) Progenitor Cells. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 916. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-980-8_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-980-8_1

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-979-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-980-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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