Culturing of diagnostic muscle biopsies as spheroid-like structures: a pilot study of morphology and viability.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to establish three-dimensional cultures originating from muscle biopsies and evaluate the viability and morphology.


METHODS
Muscle biopsies from patients with suspected neuromuscular disorders were obtained and established as primary muscle tissue cultures. Tissue pieces, 1-2 mm of diameters, were placed in culture medium and subjected to sporadic stirring to prevent attachment and outgrowth as monolayer cells. Morphology and ability to attach to the surface were investigated by light microscopy. Viability was evaluated by (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin uptake. After 1 month, histology was evaluated by light microscopy and immunocytochemistry. The findings of a healthy muscle and a dystrophic muscle were compared.


RESULTS
Initially, the tissue pieces were unshaped but formed spheroid-like structures during the culture period. For dystrophic muscle, attachment capacity to the surface was initially potent and decreased during the culture period, whereas control muscle showed weak attachment from the start that increased during the culture period. The uptake of (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin increased in control muscle, while it decreased in dystrophic muscle, during the culture period. The histological investigation demonstrated larger destruction of myofiber, weaker satellite cell activation and reduced myofiber regeneration in the dystrophic muscle as compared to the control muscle.


CONCLUSIONS
The cellular components of the muscle tissue can survive and proliferate as spheroid-like primary cultures. The cellular composition resembles the in vivo condition, which allows studies of degeneration of the original fibers, and activation and proliferation of the satellite cells. The culture system may provide better understanding of the degeneration and regeneration processes in different muscle disorders and allow investigations of pharmacological interventions.
Gáti
I
I
Neuromuscular Unit, Department of Neurology, Linköping University, SE-58 185 Linköping, Sweden. istvan.gati@lio.se
Danielsson
O
O
Betmark
T
T
Ernerudh
J
J
Ollinger
K
K
Dizdar
N
N
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D013997:Time Factors
D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; C078700:technetium tc-99m tetrofosmin