Characterization of satellite cells derived from chickens with the low score normal (LSN) muscle weakness

Myogenic satellite cell clones were established from the pectoralis major muscle of chickens with the low score normal (LSN) muscle weakness and controls. The percentage of cells which attached to substrata and began to proliferate was higher for the control line than the LSN line (55% vs 30%). Furthermore, of those clones which initiated growth, 63% of the control cells and only 32% of the LSN cells proliferated to confluence in 25 cm2 tissue culture flasks. Proliferation rates were significantly lower with LSN satellite cells than with controls (p < 0.05). LSN satellite cells were less responsive to the mitogenic effects of chicken serum (p < 0.05) and differentiation rates were lower compared with controls (p < 0.05). There was a greater (p < 0.05) number of insulin-like growth factor receptors on LSN satellite cells compared with controls. The IGF receptor binding affinities (Kds) between the two cell lines were similar (p > 0.05). The results suggest that a defect in satellite cell physiology may contribute to the skeletal muscle weakness seen in the LSN line.