Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2024, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (7): 1105-1111.doi: 10.12307/2023.745

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Mechanism of satellite cell regulation and its role in ecological niche signaling during skeletal muscle regeneration

Kong Jianda1, Mu Yujing2, Zhu Lei1, Li Zhilin1, Chen Shijuan3   

  1. 1School of Physical Education Science, Qufu Normal University, Jining 273100, Shandong Province, China; 2Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100010, China; 3College of Physical Education Science, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300380, China
  • Received:2022-10-20 Accepted:2022-12-12 Online:2024-03-08 Published:2023-07-17
  • Contact: Zhu Lei, School of Physical Education Science, Qufu Normal University, Jining 273100, Shandong Province, China
  • About author:Kong Jianda, Master candidate, School of Physical Education Science, Qufu Normal University, Jining 273100, Shandong Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Shandong Province Professional Degree Postgraduate Teaching Case Library Project, No. SDYAL20103 (to ZL)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Satellite cells are a specific population of adult stem cells contained in skeletal muscle that promote the regenerative reconstruction of injured skeletal muscle, but their specific mechanisms are not well established.  
OBJECTIVE: To review the regulatory role of satellite cells during skeletal muscle regeneration and the mechanism of interaction between satellite cells and their ecological niche signals, aiming to provide new research ideas and perspectives based on the summary of existing knowledge.
METHODS: Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI, WanFang, and VIP databases were searched for literature published between January 2002 and June 2022. English search terms were “muscle, skeletal muscle, muscle injury, stem cells, satellite cells, muscle repair”. Chinese search terms were “skeletal muscle, skeletal muscle regeneration, skeletal muscle reconstruction, satellite cells, ecological niche”. The 66 included papers were organized and analyzed.  
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Satellite cells exist in skeletal muscle and contribute to both the formation of new muscle fibers after injury and the effective growth of existing adult muscle fibers. (2) After the activation of quiescent satellite cells in satellite cells, the steps of satellite cell proliferation, differentiation and fusion to form muscle fibers during skeletal muscle regeneration are influenced by their intrinsic regulatory effects of different mechanisms. (3) Satellite cells can interact with myofibers, extracellular matrix, skeletal muscle junctions, fibroblast progenitor cells, immune cells and endothelial cells in the ecological niche signal to promote satellite cell activation, proliferation and differentiation to achieve effective skeletal muscle regeneration. (4) Possible breakthroughs in future research include: the division pattern of satellite cells in the body; the mechanisms regulating satellite cell transfer; the specific timing of satellite cell differentiation or self-renewal in vivo; and the interaction mechanisms between satellite cells and skeletal muscle junctions. (5) This review may provide some theoretical reference values for the field of injury reconstruction of skeletal muscle and its innovation.

Key words: skeletal muscle, skeletal muscle regeneration, satellite cell, regulation, ecological niche signaling

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