NEW Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cells

Skeletal muscle controls the voluntary movement of the skeletal system. Striated myofibers are the functional contractile unit of skeletal muscle and are composed of individual myocytes that fuse to form each multinucleated myofiber. Myocytes are terminally differentiated skeletal muscle cells that are derived from satellite cells, the adult stem cells of the muscle. Satellite cells are located beneath the basement membrane of myofibers, where they maintain myofiber growth and homeostasis.

Stem cells have two defining functional characteristics: self-renewal and multipotency. Although only embryonic stem cells possess totipotency, there are various multipotent adult stem cell populations within the body that maintain regenerative tissues like the skin, intestine, and muscle. Skeletal muscle satellite cells typically exist in a quiescent state, but are mitotically activated to generate new myocytes for muscle growth or injury repair.

We are excited to announce that Lifeline^® now carries skeletal muscle satellite cells — stem cells isolated from neonatal muscle.

Stem and progenitor cells are largely identified using molecular markers, which differentiate them from other cell populations. Lifeline^® skeletal muscle satellite cells are validated using flow cytometry for expression of the satellite cell markers PAX7, PAX3, CD29, and CD56. To prevent leukocyte contamination, CD45-positive cells are excluded.

Importantly, Lifeline® skeletal muscle satellite cells can be maintained and expanded in an undifferentiated progenitor-like state when cultured in StemLife Sk Basal Medium. The differentiation of satellite cells into myocytes is called myogenesis and can be induced in vitro. Differentiation of satellite cells is confirmed upon formation of fused multinucleated myotubules. To study myogenesis, Lifeline^® satellite cells can be differentiated into fused multinucleated myotubules by culturing in MyoLife™ Complete Myogenesis Differentiation Medium.

Try out our new skeletal muscle satellite cells and let us know what you’re working on. We feature new studies on our blog every other week, so make sure to check in to learn how other groups are using our cells!