Isolation and characterization of primary skeletal muscle satellite cells from rats

The purpose of this study was to isolate and characterize skeletal muscle satellite cells from rats using tissue block culture method. Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) level Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used to isolate skeletal muscle satellite cells. Morphology, expression and distribution of α-actin and Desmin within the cytoplasm of skeletal muscle satellite cells were compared with those of C2C12 myoblasts. The results showed that tissue block culturing method achieved robust proliferation and excellent differentiation of skeletal muscle satellite cells. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry results showed that α-actin and Desmin proteins were expressed in the cytoplasm of both skeletal muscle satellite cells and myoblasts. We concluded that tissue block culturing method can obtain highly purified skeletal muscle satellite cells with robust proliferation and excellent differentiation capabilities.