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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
08:30
Multiplexed Single Cell mRNA Sequencing Analysis of Mouse Embryonic Cells
Published on: January 7, 2020
Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Reveals Cellular Heterogeneity and Developmental Dynamics of Goose Satellite Cells During
Cui Wang1,2, Yi Liu1,2, Guitao Jiang3,4
1Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201106, China.
Cells
|June 11, 2026
Summary
Goose skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) show dynamic changes during embryonic development. Their states transition from quiescent to differentiating, revealing key signaling pathways crucial for muscle growth and avian poultry improvement.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cellular and Molecular Biology
- Avian Biology
Background:
- Skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) are vital for muscle development and regeneration.
- Understanding SMSC heterogeneity and transcriptional dynamics in avian species is limited.
- Avian muscle development research can inform poultry genetic improvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the cellular heterogeneity and transcriptional dynamics of goose SMSCs during embryonic development.
- To identify distinct SMSC states and their developmental trajectories.
- To elucidate the cell-cell communication networks and signaling pathways influencing SMSC differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of 42,886 cells from goose leg muscles across four embryonic stages (E13, E15, E18, E23).
- Unbiased clustering to identify cell types and SMSC subpopulations.
- Pseudotime analysis to determine developmental trajectories and state transitions.
- Cell-cell communication analysis to investigate signaling interactions.
Main Results:
- Six major cell types were identified, with SMSCs being the most abundant.
- SMSCs were classified into quiescent, activated, and proliferative/differentiating states, following a linear pseudotime trajectory.
- Key regulators like PAX7, MYF5, MYOD1, and MYOG showed dynamic expression changes mirroring development.
- Quiescent SMSCs exhibited extensive intercellular signaling, which diminished in activated and differentiating states.
- Signaling pathways such as FGFR, Ephrin, SEMA6, CDH, FGF, LAMININ, and COLLAGEN showed state-specific variations.
Conclusions:
- Goose SMSCs undergo dynamic transcriptional changes and state transitions during embryonic development.
- SMSC differentiation is regulated by a complex interplay of intrinsic programs and extrinsic microenvironmental cues.
- This study provides a high-resolution single-cell atlas of avian SMSC development, offering insights into muscle biology and poultry genetics.
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