Ronald E Allen

University of Arizona | UA · School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences

Mechanical perturbation triggers activation of resident myogenic stem cells to enter the cell cycle through a cascade of events including hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) release from its extracellular tethering and the subsequent presentation to signaling‐receptor c‐met. Here, we show that with aging, extracellular HGF undergoes tyrosine‐residue (Y)...

Key points Previous studies in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) have shown that adrenergic dysregulation was associated with low insulin concentrations and greater insulin sensitivity. Although whole‐body glucose clearance is normal, 1‐month‐old lambs with IUGR at birth have higher rates of hindlimb glucose uptake, which may comp...

Recently, we found that resident myogenic stem satellite cells up-regulate a multi-functional secreted protein, semaphorin 3A (Sema3A), exclusively at the early- differentiation phase in response to muscle injury; however, its physiological significance is still unknown. Here we show that Sema3A impacts slow-twitch fiber generation through a signal...

Background Large-scale expansion of myogenic progenitors is necessary to support the development of high-throughput cellular assays in vitro and to advance genetic engineering approaches necessary to develop cellular therapies for rare muscle diseases. However, optimization has not been performed in order to maintain the differentiation capacity of...

If one were to compare today’s animal growth research to research from a mere 50 yr ago, one would see programs with few similarities. The evolution of this research from whole-animal through cell-based and finally molecular and genomic studies has been enhanced by the identification, isolation, and in vitro evaluation of adipose-and muscle-derived...

If one were to compare today's animal growth research to research from a mere 50 yr ago, one would see programs with few similarities. The evolution of this research from whole-animal through cell-based and finally molecular and genomic studies has been enhanced by the identification, isolation, and in vitro evaluation of adipose- and muscle-derive...

Few clinical options are available for the treatment of volumetric muscle loss (VML). An important consideration that needs to be addressed for the development of treatments for these injuries is the establishment of a vascular supply sufficient to support skeletal muscle regeneration. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the potentia...

Key points To investigate loss of skeletal muscle mass in intrauterine growth‐restricted (IUGR) fetuses near term, which may result from myoblast dysfunction, we examined semitendinosus myofibre and myoblast morphology in placental insufficiency‐induced IUGR sheep fetuses; we also isolated and cultured IUGR fetal myoblasts to determine whether redu...

The delivery of adult skeletal muscle stem cells, called satellite cells, to several injured muscles via the circulation would be useful, however, an improved understanding of cell fate and biodistribution following their delivery is important for this goal to be achieved. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of systemically deli...

Significance This study discloses a role for Numb in the activation and proliferation of adult muscle satellite cells and a unique function in the regulation of the muscle mass determinant Myostatin. Using two different genetic approaches to ablate Numb , one that ablated Numb in the myogenic lineage developmentally leading to reduced muscle mass....

Skeletal muscle regeneration is a multifaceted process requiring the spatial and temporal coordination of myogenesis as well as angiogenesis. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plays a pivotal role in myogenesis by activating satellite cells (SC) in regenerating muscle and likely plays a role as a contributor to revascularization. Moreover, repair of a...

Deficits in skeletal muscle function exist during aging and muscular dystrophy, and suboptimal function has been related to factors such as atrophy, excessive inflammation and fibrosis. Ineffective muscle regeneration underlies each condition and has been attributed to a deficit in myogenic potential of resident stem cells or satellite cells. In ad...

Increased secretion of prostaglandin F(2)α (PGF(2)α) within the uterus because of uterine inflammation can cause luteolysis and result in early embryonic loss. Supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has been shown to influence PG production in many species, although the effects on the mare remain unknown. The present study aimed t...

When skeletal muscle is stretched or injured, satellite cells, resident myogenic stem cells positioned beneath the basal lamina of mature muscle fibers, are activated to enter the cell cycle. This signaling pathway is a cascade of events including calcium-calmodulin formation, nitric oxide (NO) radical production by NO synthase, matrix metalloprote...

The regulation of adult skeletal muscle repair and regeneration is largely due to the contribution of resident adult myogenic precursor cells called satellite cells. The events preceding their participation in muscle repair include activation (exit from quiescence), proliferation, and differentiation. This study examined the effects of transforming...

Skeletal muscle regeneration and work-induced hypertrophy rely on molecular events responsible for activation and quiescence of resident myogenic stem cells, satellite cells. Recent studies demonstrated that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) triggers activation and entry into the cell cycle in response to mechanical perturbation, and that subsequent e...

Regenerative coordination and remodeling of the intramuscular motoneuron network and neuromuscular connections are critical for restoring skeletal muscle function and physiological properties. The regulatory mechanisms of such coordination remain unclear, although both attractive and repulsive axon guidance molecules may be involved in the signalin...

Muscle regeneration involves the coordination of myogenesis and revascularization to restore proper muscle function. Myogenesis is driven by resident stem cells termed satellite cells (SC), whereas angiogenesis arises from endothelial cells and perivascular cells of preexisting vascular segments and the collateral vasculature. Communication between...

Skeletal muscle regeneration is a multifaceted process involving the spatial and temporal coordination of myogenic and angiogenic events. Satellite cells are well‐established myogenic precursor cells responsible for skeletal muscle growth and repair. We have recently demonstrated that satellite cells also promote angiogenesis, in part, through the...

When skeletal muscle is stretched or injured, myogenic satellite cells are activated to enter the cell cycle. This process depends on nitric oxide (NO) production by NO synthase (NOS), matrix metalloproteinase activation, release of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) from the extracellular matrix, and presentation of HGF to the c-met receptor as demons...

Satellite cells, resident myogenic stem cells found between the basement membrane and the sarcolemma in postnatal skeletal muscle, are normally quiescent in adult muscles. But when muscle is injured, exercised, overused or mechanically stretched, these cells are activated to enter the cell cycle, divide, differentiate, and fuse with the adjacent mu...

Raf/MEK/ERK signaling in skeletal muscle cells affects several aspects of myogenesis that are correlated with the duration and intensity of the input signal. 23A2RafER(DD) myoblasts directing elevated levels of Raf kinase for 24 h are mitotically inactive. Removal of the stimulus results in cell cycle re-entry and proliferation. Using a proteomic a...

The regulation of myogenic progenitor cells during muscle regeneration is not clearly understood. We have previously shown that the Foxk1 gene, a member of the forkhead/winged helix family of transcription factors, is expressed in myogenic progenitor cells in adult skeletal muscle. In the present study, we utilize transgenic technology and demonstr...

When skeletal muscle is stretched or injured, satellite cells are activated to enter the cell cycle, and this process could be mediated by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and nitric oxide (NO) as revealed by primary culture technique. In this system, which was originally developed by Allen et al. [Allen, R. E., Temm-Grove, C. J., Sheehan, S. M., & R...

When skeletal muscle is stretched or injured, myogenic satellite cells are activated to enter the cell cycle. This process depends on nitric oxide (NO) production, release of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) from the extracellular matrix, and presentation of HGF to the c-met receptor. Experiments reported herein provide new evidence that matrix metal...

In the present study, we examined the roles of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and nitric oxide (NO) in the activation of satellite cells in passively stretched rat skeletal muscle. A hindlimb suspension model was developed in which the vastus, adductor, and gracilis muscles were subjected to stretch for 1 h. Satellite cells were activated by stretc...

Myostatin is an endogenous inhibitor of muscle conserved across diverse species. In the absence of myostatin, there is massive muscle growth in mice, cattle, and humans. Previous studies in the mdx mouse model of muscular dystrophy demonstrate that inhibiting myostatin attenuates several features of dystrophic muscle. These findings have encouraged...

When skeletal muscle is stretched or injured, satellite cells are activated to proliferate, and this process can be mediated by release of the active form of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) from the extracellular matrix. The objective of these experiments was to determine whether the mechanism of release includes proteolytic activation of pro-HGF. E...

Skeletal muscle satellite cells play an important role in muscle regeneration. Previous work has suggested that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may inhibit their activity. We cultured skeletal muscle satellite cells from 9-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats and exposed them to naproxen sodium (a nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitor), NS-398 (a sel...

It has previously been shown that mechanical stretch induces activation of cultured quiescent satellite cells by rapid release of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) from its extracellular association with satellite cells and its subsequent presentation to the c-met receptor. The present study provides evidence that the stretch activation activity varie...

Mechanical stretch induces activation of cultured quiescent satellite cells and the activation response is owing to rapid release of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) from its extracellular association with satellite cells and its subsequent presentation to the c-met receptor. We provide new evidence that the stretch activation is dependent on nitric...

Application of mechanical stretch to cultured adult rat muscle satellite cells results in release of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and accelerated entry into the cell cycle. Stretch activation of cultured rat muscle satellite cells was observed only when medium pH was between 7.1 and 7.5, even though activation of satellite cells was accelerated b...

Cultured quiescent satellite cells were subjected to mechanical stretch in a FlexerCell System. In response to stretch, satellite cells entered the cell cycle earlier than if they were under control conditions. Only a brief period of stretch, as short as 2 h, was necessary to stimulate activation. Additionally, conditioned medium from stretched cel...

Muscle satellite cell activation following injury is essential for muscle repair, and hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF) was the first growth factor shown to be able to stimulate activation and early division of adult satellite cells in culture and in muscle tissue. In addition, HGF was shown to be present in uninjured and injured skelet...

Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) have the ability to regulate satellite cell proliferation in culture and in muscle tissue, but the specific FGF receptors (FGFR) expressed by adult rat muscle satellite cells and the action of members of the FGF family have not been assessed. Therefore, the expression of FGF receptors 1-4 was examined in proliferatin...

Rat satellite cells (RSC) were microinjected with purified calpastatin or m-calpain, and myoblasts from a C2C12 mouse line were microinjected with purified calpastatin. Microinjection with calpastatin completely prevented fusion of myoblasts from both sources, whereas microinjection with m-calpain significantly increased the rate of fusion of cultu...

We have shown that hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor can stimulate activation and early division of adult satellite cells in culture, and that the action of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor is similar to the action of the unidentified satellite cell activator found in extracts of crushed muscle. We now provide new evidence that hepatoc...

Skeletal muscle satellite cell culture techniques have provided a means for coupling muscle structural and physiological observations to cellular and molecular explanations. Intrinsic properties of these myogenic cells have been studied in vitro, and it has become apparent that the satellite cell has properties that are distinctly different from th...

The effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on the activation of quiescent rat skeletal muscle satellite cells was evaluated in vitro. Satellite cells from 9-month-old adult rats are quiescent in vivo and when cultured, display a protracted lag phase prior to division that is not present in satellite cells from neonatal or regenerating muscle. Und...

Specific, high-affinity binding of FGF2 was evaluated in cultured skeletal muscle satellite cells from young (3- to 4-week-old) and adult (9- to 12-month-old) rats prior to the first division in culture. Specific binding of FGF2 was detected on satellite cells from young rats at 18 h postplating, the earliest time examined, but specific binding was...

The satellite cell is responsible for growth and repair of postnatal skeletal muscle. We investigated the expression of the myogenic regulatory gene (MRG) family in these cells in the stages from quiescence to fusion. Using polymerase chain reaction amplification of reverse-transcribed RNA (RT-PCR) isolated from adult rat satellite cells, we demons...

Skeletal muscle satellite cells from uninjured muscle of adult animals are generally found to be in a quiescent state, and when cultured, they remain quiescent in vitro for a period of time which is directly related to the age of the donor animal. A technique for studying the activation of satellite cells in primary cultures has been developed and...

Addition of the protein phosphatase inhibitor, calyculin-A, to 3T3 fibroblasts causes a marked change in cell morphology. Initially the cells become rounded, develop surface blebs and then detach from the substratum. In the detached cells an unusual ball-like structure is observed. This study focuses on the cytoskeleton during these calyculin-A-ind...

Immunofluorescence and immunogold localization studies show that the two Ca(2+)-dependent proteinases (mu-calpain for the micromolar Ca(2+)-requiring proteinase and m-calpain for the millimolar Ca(2+)-requiring proteinase) and their protein inhibitor (calpastatin) are located exclusively intracellularly in normal rat soleus muscle. Quantitative imm...

The presence of desmin was characterized in cultured rat and bovine satellite cells and its potential usefulness as a marker for identifying satellite cells in vitro was evaluated. In primary cultures, positive immunohistochemical staining for desmin and skeletal muscle myosin was observed in rat and bovine myotubes. A small number of mononucleated...

This study examined the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) on the proliferation and differentiation of primary bovine satellite cells (BSC) in vitro. Individually, these three factors had the following effects on satellite cells: bFGF stimulated proli...

Calyculin-A, an inhibitor of type 1 and 2A phosphatases, was applied extracel-lularly to 3T3 fibroblasts. At 0.1 μM, calyculin-A caused a marked increase in protein phosphorylation in both the cytosolic and insoluble cellular fractions. This effect was independent of external Ca2+. An immunoprecipitate, formed with an antibody to myosin, contained...

Satellite cells are myogenic cells attributed with the role of postnatal growth and regeneration in skeletal muscle. Following proliferation and subsequent differentiation, these cells will fuse with one another or with the adjacent muscle fiber, thereby increasing myonuclei numbers for fiber growth and repair. The potential factors which could reg...

A new skeletal muscle cell line, rat myoblast ω or RMo, has been characterized with regard to the effects of three growth factors: basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). Results indicate a differential response of these factors on both cell proliferation and differentia...

Monoclonal antibodies were generated against turkey gizzard myosin, and their effects on some of the properties of myosin were assayed. Ca2+- and Mg2+-ATPase activities of myosin were enhanced by the anti-subfragment 2 antibodies at low ionic strength (i.e., with 10S myosin). Tryptic fragments of an anti-S2 IgM also activated these activities. Anti...

The potential role of satellite cells in mediating the effect of trenbolone [17 beta-hydroxyestra-4,9-11-trien-3-one (TBOH)] on skeletal muscle hypertrophy was examined. Young female Sprague-Dawley rats received TBOH injections daily for 2 weeks; growth, body composition, and the composition of selected muscles were assessed. Treated rats grew more...

Skeletal muscle satellite cells were cultured from mature rats and were treated in vitro with various combinations of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). In serum-free defined medium the following observations were made: TGF-beta depressed proliferation and inhibited diffe...

Skeletal muscle satellite cells were cultured from mature rats and were treated in vitro with transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). Muscle-specific protein synthesis and satellite cell fusion were used as indicators of muscle differentiation; a dose-dependent inhibition of differentiation was observed in response to TGF-beta. In addition, TGF...

The interactions of 125I-multiplication stimulating activity (MSA) and 125I-ovine somatomedin with receptors on skeletal muscle satellite cells are described. Specific binding of 125I-MSA/rIGF-II was inhibited by MSA/rIGF-II and oSm but not by insulin. Binding of 125I-oSm was inhibited by MSA/rIGF-II, oSm and insulin. In addition, 24-h pre-incubati...

The interactions of ¹²⁵ I-multiplication stimulating activity (MSA) and ¹²⁵ I-ovine somatomedin with receptors on skeletal muscle satellite cells are described. Specific binding of ¹²⁵ I-MSA/rIGF-II was inhibited by MSA/rIGF-II and oSm but not by insulin. Binding of ¹²⁵ I-oSm was inhibited by MSA/rIGF-II, oSm and insulin. In addition, 24-h pre-incu...

Satellite cells were isolated from the skeletal muscle of 3-, 12- and 24-month-old Fischer 344 rats. In vitro growth of these cells was evaluated in serum-containing medium and in serum-free medium in response to multiplication stimulating activity/rat insulin-like growth factor II (MSA). Cells from 3-month-old rats exhibited a shorter lag phase of...

Muscle cell culture techniques have been used for several years in research on muscle growth and development. Several types of culture systems have been devised, including primary cultures from embryonic or postnatal muscle and myogenic cell lines. In addition, serum-free and serum-containing media have been developed to address specific muscle dev...

Proliferation of rat skeletal muscle satellite cells was studied in vitro, and their ability to respond to a variety of protein hormones was examined, including: growth hormone, prolactin, luteinizing hormone, thyrotropin and fibroblast growth factor. All experiments were conducted in serum-free medium to avoid complicating interactions with serum...

Primary cultures of skeletal muscle satellite cells, the postnatal myogenic precursor cells, were induced to proliferate by exposure to physiological levels of somatomedins (Sms)/insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and pharmacological levels of insulin. These polypeptides were included in medium containing horse serum as well as serum-free defined m...

A serum-free medium has been devised that supports the proliferation and differentiation of primary cultures of rat skeletal muscle satellite cells for up to 4 d. The medium consists of a mixture of Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium and MCDB-104 plus insulin, dexamethasone, pituitary fibroblast growth factor, Deutsch fetuin, and linoleic acid. In...

The rate of gain, carcass measurements and three muscles were evaluated in 65 crossbred boars representing 13 litters that were allotted at 4 wk of age to slaughter weight and treatment groups as follows: 1) 105 kg, castrated; 2) 105 kg, intact; 3) 118 kg, intact; 4) 132 kg, intact and 5) 145 kg, intact. One barrow and four boars within a litter co...

Differences in total carcass bone, muscle and fat, and linear measurements of the tibia and radius were evaluated in barrows at 105 kg and boars at 105, 118, 132 and 145 kg live body weight. The carcasses of five replicates were physically separated into skin, bone and soft tissues, and the linear measurements of the tibia and radius were obtained...

A serum-free medium has been devised that supports the proliferation and differentiation of primary cultures of rat skeletal muscle satellite cells for up to 4 d. The medium consists of a mixture of Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium and MCDB-104 plus insulin, dexamethasone, pituitary fibroblast growth factor, Deutsch fetuin, and linoleic acid. In...

Differentiation of rat skeletal muscle satellite cells was studied in vitro. Linoleic acid and insulin, two unrelated compounds that reportedly stimulate differentiation of other types of myogenic cells, were used to examine the regulation of differentiation in satellite cell cultures. As in cultures of chick embryo muscle cells, linoleic acid stim...

Muscle growth of male obese (ob/ob) and lean mice at 2, 3, 5 and 8 wk were analyzed on the basis of weights of gastrocnemius, plantaris and soleus muscles from each hind leg. The carcasses (prepared by removing skin, viscera, head, feet and tail) were analyzed for fat content so that the effect of phenotype on the relationship between muscle weight...

Satellite cells in skeletal muscle have been implicated in muscle growth processes and regeneration. However, very little is known about the regulation of their proliferation and differentiation. The effect of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) on the proliferation of myogenic cells from adult rat skeletal muscle, presumably satellite cells, has been e...

Summary Because most of the DNA in amature muscle accumulates during postnatal life and is derived from satellite cells, cellular regulation of protein accumulation in muscle fibers originating from satellite cells is an important aspect of muscle growth control. These experiments were designed to study the modulation of a ot-actin accumulation in...

Because muscle satellite cells have been implicated in the process of muscle growth and mass regulation, as well as regeneration, alterations in the capacity of satellite cells to differentiate and accumulate muscle specific proteins during aging could play a role in the process of senile muscle atrophy. Skeletal muscle satellite cells were culture...

Because muscle satellite cells have been implicated in the process of muscle growth and mass regulation, as well as regeneration, alterations in the capacity of satellite cells to differentiate and accumulate muscle specific proteins during aging could play a role in the process of senile muscle atrophy. Skeletal muscle satellite cells were culture...

Accumulation of two major myofibrillar proteins, myosin and tropomyosin, was monitored in differentiating skeletal muscle cultures. The tropomyosin subunit to myosin heavy chain accumulation rate ratio was more than twice the stoichiometric ratio of tropomyosin subunit to myosin heavy chain in mature skeletal muscle myofibrils and crude myofibrils...

Muscle satellite cells from old (> 30 months) female Long-Evans rats were isolated and grown in cell culture. Satellite cells differentiated in culture to form multinucleated myotubes that had the ability to accumulate muscle-specific proteins. Therefore, satellite cells exist in muscle through senescence and retain their myogenic potential.

A rapid, simple technique for staining proteins in isoelectric focusing polyacrylamide gels was demonstrated using fast green in 10% acetic acid. Fast green has the distinct advantage of not binding to ampholytes, thus staining only protein. Maximum staining was achieved within 5 min, and bands were visible after 3 to 6 h of destaining. Background...

Summary Muscle differentiation and growth are accomplished by two fundamental sets of cellular processes, protein accretion and cell proliferation. This review is restricted to a discussion of the role of cell proliferation in the growth of muscle during prenatal and postnatal life. More specifically, the discussion is divided into three topic area...

In an effort to understand the conditions that promote the assembly of myofibrillar proteins in muscle cells, the temporal sequence of accumulation of four myofibrillar proteins, actin, myosin, tropomyosin, and α-actinin, was monitored during the period of de novo assembly of myofibrils in differentiating muscle cells. Isotope dilution experiments...

SUMMARY One of the fundamental aspects of skeletal muscle differentiation is activation of the gene pro- grams coding for muscle-specific proteins. This transition encompasses gene products both directly and indirectly involved in skeletal muscles' con- tractile and developmental activities. This review article therefore examines unique gene transi...

The accumulation of tropomyosin in cultures of differentiating muscle cells was quantitatively measured. Tropomyosin was isolated from cultured cells during and after myoblast fusion; both alpha- and beta-subunits were present in myotube cultures. During fusion small amounts of tropomyosin were detectable, but, as fusion approached a maximum, tropo...

Highly purified α actinin can be made by using the low ionic strength extraction procedure and then subjecting the crude α actinin fraction obtained with this extraction procedure to successive chromatography on DEAE cellulose and hydroxyapatite. Hydroxyapatite chromatography specifically removes a protein having a subunit molecular weight of 42,00...