Multipotency of skeletal muscle stem cells on their native substrate and the expression of Connexin 43 during adoption of adipogenic and osteogenic fate.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Muscle regeneration is performed by resident muscle stem cells called satellite cells (SC). However they are multipotent, being able to adopt adipogenic and osteogenic fate under the correct stimuli. Since SC behavior can be regulated by the extra-cellular matrix, we examined the robustness of the myogenic programme of SC on their native substrate-the surface of a myofiber. We show that the native substrate supports myogenic differentiation judged by the expression of members of the Myogenic Determination Factor (MRF) family. However SC even on their native substrate can be induced into adopting adipogenic or osteogenic fate. Furthermore conditions that support adipose or bone formation inhibit the proliferation of SC progeny as well as their migration. We show that Connexin43 (Cx43), a gap junction complex protein, is only expressed by activated and not quiescent SC. Furthermore, it is not expressed by SC that are in the process of changing their fate. Lastly we show that intact adult mouse muscle contains numerous cells expressing Cx43 and that the density of these cells seems to be related to capillary density. We suggest the Cx43 expression is localized to angioblasts and is more prominent in oxidative slow muscle compared to glycolytic fast muscle.

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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