Nestin-GFP reporter expression defines the quiescent state of skeletal muscle satellite cells.
Repair of adult skeletal muscle depends on satellite cells, quiescent myogenic stem cells located beneath the myofiber basal lamina. Satellite cell numbers and performance decline with age and disease, yet the intrinsic molecular changes accompanying these conditions are unknown. We identified expression of GFP driven by regulatory elements of the nestin (NES) gene within mouse satellite cells, which permitted characterization of these cells in their niche. Sorted NES-GFP+ cells exclusively acquired a myogenic fate, even when supplemented with media supporting non-myogenic development. Mutual and unique gene expression by NES-GFP+ cells from hindlimb and diaphragm muscles demonstrated intra- and inter-muscular heterogeneity of satellite cells. NES-GFP expression declined following satellite cell activation and was reacquired in late stage myogenic cultures by non-proliferating Pax7+ progeny. The dynamics of this expression pattern reflect the cycle of satellite cell self-renewal. The NES-GFP model reveals unique transcriptional activity within quiescent satellite cells and permits novel insight into the heterogeneity of their molecular signatures.
Day
Kenneth
K
Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Shefer
Gabi
G
Richardson
Joshua B
JB
Enikolopov
Grigori
G
Yablonka-Reuveni
Zipora
Z
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D017931:DNA Primers; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015870:Gene Expression; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D064231:Nestin; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D032496:Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D017931:DNA Primers; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C577485:Nes protein, mouse; D064231:Nestin; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins