Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (7): 1808-1817.doi: 10.12307/2025.685

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Interactions between cytokines and satellite cells in muscle regeneration 

Cao Yong, Teng Hongliang, Tai Pengfei, Li Junda, Zhu Tengqi, Li Zhaojin   

  1. School of Physical Education, Qufu Normal University, Jining 272000, Shandong Province, China 
  • Received:2024-06-11 Revised:2024-10-11 Accepted:2024-10-18 Online:2026-03-08 Published:2025-08-20
  • Contact: Li Zhaojin, MD, Associate professor, Master’s supervisor, School of Physical Education, Qufu Normal University, Jining 272000, Shandong Province, China
  • About author:Cao Yong, Master candidate, School of Physical Education, Qufu Normal University, Jining 272000, Shandong Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Shandong Provincial Social Science Plan Research Project, No. 21CTYJ08 (to ZTQ)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Satellite cells are closely related to skeletal muscle regeneration. Satellite cells are crucial cellular sources for muscle regeneration, rapidly activated upon injury or stimulation to participate in muscle repair processes, regulated by cytokines. Moreover, studies have demonstrated that exercise promotes satellite cell proliferation and differentiation, yet it remains unclear whether exercise synergizes with cytokines to regulate satellite cell functions in skeletal muscle regeneration.
OBJECTIVE: To review the regulatory roles of cytokines and exercise on satellite cells, offering new insights and potential intervention targets for treating and rehabilitating muscle diseases.
METHODS: The first author and corresponding author conducted a literature search from December 1, 2023 to February 1, 2024, using databases including Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI, WanFang, and VIP. The retrieval period was from the inception of each database to February 2024. Search terms included “skeletal muscle regeneration, satellite cells, cytokines in muscle repair, exercise, muscle stem cells, inflammation and repair” in English and “skeletal muscle, satellite cells, cytokines, exercise, muscle regeneration, muscle stem cells, inflammation and repair” in Chinese. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were strictly applied, resulting in the inclusion of 76 articles. 
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Role of cytokines in satellite cell activation: Satellite cells were rapidly activated after skeletal muscle injury. Interleukin-6 promotes satellite cell proliferation and migration, thereby accelerating muscle repair. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha regulates apoptosis and proliferation pathways, influencing satellite cell differentiation and function. Interferon-gamma plays a crucial role in immune responses during inflammation, regulating satellite cell involvement in muscle injury repair. (2) Exercise modulation of cytokine expression: Endurance exercise and resistance training significantly increase circulating levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, facilitating satellite cell activation and participation in muscle regeneration. Moreover, exercise enhances skeletal muscle secretion of muscle-specific proteins such as myostatin, irisin, and insulin-like growth factor 1, which critically regulate satellite cell proliferation and muscle regeneration. (3) Future directions and prospects: Despite revealing key roles of multiple cytokines in satellite cell regulation, further mechanistic investigations are warranted. Future research integrating multi-omics and bioinformatics approaches could elucidate the interactive networks of different cytokines during exercise-mediated muscle repair, optimizing intervention strategies and enhancing the efficiency and quality of muscle regeneration.

Key words: skeletal muscle, skeletal muscle regeneration, satellite cell, cytokine, exercise, repair, inflammation, review

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