Myogenic satellite cells: from physiology to molecular biology.
Hawke, Thomas J., and Daniel J. Garry.
1Department of Internal Medicine and 2Department of Molecular Biology, University
of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390
APStracts 8:0245A, 2001.
Adult skeletal muscle has a remarkable ability to regenerate following myotrauma.
Because adult myofibers are terminally differentiated, the regeneration of skeletal muscle
is largely dependent on a small population of resident cells termed satellite cells.
Although this population of cells was identified 40 years ago, little is known regarding
the molecular phenotype or regulation of the satellite cell. The use of cell culture
techniques and transgenic animal models have improved our understanding of this unique
cell population; however, the capacity and potential of these cells remain ill-defined. This
review will highlight the origin and unique markers of the satellite cell population, the
regulation by growth factors, and the response to physiological and pathological stimuli.
We conclude by highlighting the potential therapeutic uses of satellite cells and
identifying future research goals for the study of satellite cell biology.
APS Manuscript Number A227-1.
Article publication pending J Appl Physiol
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 2001 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 18 June 2001