# MECHANISMS OF SKELETAL MUSCLE REGENERATION

> **NIH NIH R01** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 1988 · $104,267

## Abstract

Satellite cells of skeletal muscle are quiescent myogenic stem cells
situated between the basement lamina and plasmalemma of the mature
myofiber.  Injury to the fiber induces the activation and proliferation of
satellite cells whose progeny fuse to form new myotubes during
regeneration.  The overall goal of this research is to understand factors
responsible for satellite cell proliferation.  What stimulates satellite
cell division during muscle growth and regeneration and what turns them off
as the muscle reaches maturity?  We have developed methods for preparing
isolated single fibers with attached satellite cells from adult rats.  Both
fibers and satellite cells are viable for extended periods in culture.
Preliminary experiments have shown that injured muscle releases a satellite
cell mitogen that exhibits both source and target cell specificity.  The
mitogen stimulates proliferation of satellite cells and embryonic myoblasts
in culture and when injected into neonatal rats.  Satellite cells also
proliferate in response to fibroblast growth factor, but not to other
defined polypeptide mitogens.  We will use viable single fiber-satellite
cell units in culture to study the biological properties of the mitogen
from muscle and to aid in its purification.  We wish to determine whether
the mitogen acts as a competence or progression factor, whether satellite
cells exhibit chemotactic behavior to the mitogen and whether serum factors
can modulate response of satellite cells to the mitogen.  In addition, we
will determine whether age-related impairment of regeneration results from
weakened response of the satellite cells or lower production of mitogen by
the muscle.  Satellite cells gradually cease proliferating as the muscle
matures.  We will test the effect of mature fibers on proliferation of
added myogenic cells obtained from embryos.  Fiber innervation will also be
examined as a possible modulator of satellite cell proliferation.  Clinical
management of traumatized muscle depends upon knowledge of how myogenic
cells arise and what factors regulate their proliferation.  Once we
understand these basic principles of the formation of new muscle from
damaged tissue, it may be possible to devise treatment to promote
regeneration following injury or in neuromuscular disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3157771
- **Project number:** 5R01AR036853-03
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** L6NFUM28LQM5
- **Principal Investigator:** E RICHARD BISCHOFF
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $104,267
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1986-06-01 → 1989-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3157771

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3157771, MECHANISMS OF SKELETAL MUSCLE REGENERATION (5R01AR036853-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3157771. Licensed CC0.

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