Adipogenic potential of skeletal muscle satellite cells. (April 2009)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sanna, Marta; Franzin, Chiara; Pozzobon, Michela; Favaretto, Francesca; Rossi, Carlo Alberto; Calcagno, Alessandra; Scarda, Alessandro; Dal Pràà, Chiara; Pilon, Catia; Milan, Gabriella; Federspil, Giovanni; De Coppi, Paolo; Vettor, Roberto
• Is Part Of: Clinical lipidology. Volume 4:Number 2(2009)
• Page Start: 245
• Page End: 265
• Publication Date: 2009-04
• Subjects: adipogenesis -- adipogenic differentiation -- myogenesis -- satellite cell -- skeletal muscle -- stem cell; Lipids -- Periodicals; 616.3997
• DOI: 10.2217/clp.09.8
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-4299

Abstract

Satellite cells (SCs) are undifferentiated skeletal muscle cells that allow muscular growth and regeneration. Since their first description, SCs were simply considered myogenic precursors, but now it is widely accepted that SCs are a heterogeneous stem cell population characterized by plasticity and self-renewal. In this report we focus on SCs capacity to undergo adipogenic differentiation both spontaneous and induced by adipogenic factors. Understanding SC behavior is especially important because their adipogenic potential could represent a pathophysiological explanation for the intramuscular fat depots and associated insulin resistance that characterize many metabolic diseases and age-related sarcopenia. Moreover, SC are a therapeutic promise for neuromuscular diseases in the context of tissue engineering, representing an interesting cell source for implantation.