Proliferation and differentiation of satellite cells derived from isolated single myofibres from normal and dystrophic adult mice.

Abstract

A pure population of myogenic precursor cells was isolated by explaining single mature myofibres from adult mice together with their associated satellite cells and basal lamina into culture. The satellite cells contained within these myofibres subsequently proliferated and differentiated to form meshworks of mature myotubes given the appropriate growth conditions. This is the first report describing the isolation of a population of satellite cell progeny in a primary culture that was completely free of contaminating fibroblasts, macrophages or other non-myogenic cells. Furthermore, it is the report whereby satellite cells, and their progeny, derived from a single myofibre have been isolated. The purity of adult myogenic precursor cell populations obtained by isolating single myofibre gives this method the potential for being a ready source of pure myoblasts, given the appropriate medium conditions, which could be a viable vehicle for various gene therapy strategies. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)