In vitro model of equine muscle regeneration

Equine satellite cells are responsible for muscle healing and regeneration in the mature horse. We describe the in vitro cell culture conditions required for clonal populations of equine satellite cells to undergo both proliferation and differentiation. Our hypothesis is that these in vitro conditions model regeneration of muscle and can be used to evaluate potential therapeutics. In this study, 2 areas of satellite cell response were tested: proliferation of clones induced by growth factors, and fusion induced by culture conditions. Equine satellite cell clones showed differences in their response to growth factors as well as accumulation of cellular protein concentrations. Equine satellite cells proliferate in response to both human and bovine FGF. IGF-1, a powerful mitogen of other satellite cell culture systems, was not as effective for inducing equine satellite cell proliferation. Protein concentrations were also measured in satellite cell cultures. Clones differed in cellular protein produced depending on growth conditions. Conditions inducing differentiation into myotubes was also determined for a 96 well assay and can be used to study the final stage of functioning muscle production. This in vitro model is the first step in identifying potential therapeutics to speed wound healing and promote muscle regeneration in horses.