Satellite Stem Cells Required for Normal Muscle Response to Exercise

A new study in mice published in the journal Function finds that a lack of satellite cells—stem cells that become muscle cells—alters gene networks needed for muscle adaptation to exercise.

Researchers performed RNA sequencing on mice that were exercised by progressive weighted wheel running. Half the animals had satellite cells and half did not. The satellite cell-deficient mice had blunted muscle growth compared to those with typical levels of stem cells.

“Our data show, for the first time, that a hallmark of the response to exercise in the absence of satellite cells is an immense altering of the transcriptome that is highly ineffective—failing to influence biologically meaningful processes. Further, we identify the dysregulation of several exercise-induced gene networks in the absence of satellite cells that likely contribute to a maladaptive response to exercise,” the research team wrote.

Read the full article, “Satellite cell depletion disrupts transcriptional coordination and muscle adaptation to exercise.” Contact the APS Communications Office to schedule an interview with the research team.