Characteristics of myoblasts isolated from golden Syrian and dystrophic (strain CHF-146) hamsters

A method for dissociating and culturing myoblast cells from normal (golden Syrian) and myopathic (CHF-146) hind leg muscles of 8- to 10-day-old hamsters has been described. We have compared the fusion ability of the myoblasts from normal tissue with that of myopathic myoblasts and, further, we have studied this process with respect to gelatin-coated and uncoated plastic culture dishes. Our data show that myoblasts from normal tissue grows well on both surfaces, although fusion is enhanced when these cells are grown on a gelatin-coated surface. Myoblasts from dystrophic tissue, however, appear to have an impaired ability to adhere to an uncoated surface, although fusion is enhanced when these myoblasts are grown on coated plates. The fusion percentage of the dystrophic cells is consistently lower than that of myoblasts from normal tissue. At low concentrations of 5-azacytidine tested, there seems to be no enhancement of fusion capability in either the normal or dystrophic lines.