[Specific features of satellite cells and myoblasts at different stages of rat postnatal development]

A cell culture consisting mainly of satellite cells and mononuclear myoblasts was derived from femoral muscles of infant (aged 3-7 days) and adult rats. Satellite cells identified by expression of the specific marker Pax7 accounted for approximately 80% of the isolated cell fraction. Mononuclear myoblasts represented by proliferating and postmitotic cell pools were identified immunocytochemically by the expression of markers Ki67 and desmin. Differentiation of satellite cells and myoblasts in the culture depended on the concentration of Ca2+ in the culture medium (F12 with different Ca2+ concentrations or DMEM). Differentiation of myogenic cells manifested in myoblasts fusion, formation of myotubes, and expression of myosin in myofibrils was observed only in the medium with a high Ca2+ concentration (2 mM). Satellite cells and myoblasts from the muscles of newborn and adult rats did not differ noticeably in their capacity for differentiation.