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Acidic and basic fibroblast growth factor mRNAs are expressed by skeletal muscle satellite cells

J Alterio1, Y Courtois, J Robelin

  • 1Unité de Recherche Gérontologique, INSERM, Paris, France.

Insights

Skeletal muscle satellite cells may produce acidic Fibroblast Growth Factor (aFGF), a key factor in muscle development and regeneration. This study found aFGF mRNA in satellite cells, suggesting its role in regulating the myogenic process.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) is implicated in skeletal muscle morphogenesis.
  • The origin of FGF in fetal and regenerative muscle development remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if skeletal muscle satellite cells are a source of FGF.
  • To determine the role of FGF, particularly acidic FGF (aFGF), in regulating the myogenic process.

Main Methods:

  • RT-PCR analysis of aFGF and bFGF mRNA expression in bovine fetal and adult rat skeletal muscles and satellite cells.
  • Culture of rat satellite cells and L6 myogenic cells.
  • Treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol -13-acetate (TPA) to assess its effect on FGF mRNA expression.

Main Results:

  • Growing bovine fetal muscles expressed aFGF mRNA, with reduced expression in neonate muscles.
  • Proliferating adult rat satellite cells strongly expressed aFGF mRNA, which diminished upon differentiation into myotubes.
  • TPA treatment upregulated aFGF mRNA in both proliferating and differentiated satellite cells and in L6 myogenic cells.

Conclusions:

  • Skeletal muscle satellite cells are a potential source of FGF, especially aFGF.
  • aFGF produced by satellite cells may play a regulatory role in the myogenic process.
  • TPA influences aFGF expression in satellite cells and myogenic cells.

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