Affiliation:
1. DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia – Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Via A. Scarpa, 14 Rome 00161, Italy
Abstract
The peculiar ability of skeletal muscle tissue to operate adaptive changes during post-natal
development and adulthood has been associated with the existence of adult somatic stem cells. Satellite
cells, occupying an exclusive niche within the adult muscle tissue, are considered bona fide stem cells
with both stem-like properties and myogenic activities. Indeed, satellite cells retain the capability to
both maintain the quiescence in uninjured muscles and to be promptly activated in response to growth
or regenerative signals, re-engaging the cell cycle. Activated cells can undergo myogenic differentiation
or self-renewal moving back to the quiescent state. Satellite cells behavior and their fate decision
are finely controlled by mechanisms involving both cell-autonomous and external stimuli. Alterations
in these regulatory networks profoundly affect muscle homeostasis and the dynamic response to tissue
damage, contributing to the decline of skeletal muscle that occurs under physio-pathologic conditions.
Although the clear myogenic activity of satellite cells has been described and their pivotal role in muscle
growth and regeneration has been reported, a comprehensive picture of inter-related mechanisms
guiding muscle stem cell activity has still to be defined. Here, we reviewed the main regulatory networks
determining satellite cell behavior. In particular, we focused on genetic and epigenetic mechanisms
underlining satellite cell maintenance and commitment. Besides intrinsic regulations, we reported
current evidences about the influence of environmental stimuli, derived from other cell populations
within muscle tissue, on satellite cell biology.
Publisher
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Subject
Genetics (clinical),Genetics
Cited by
92 articles.
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