A method to establish co-cultures of myotubes and preadipocytes from collagenase digested neonatal pig semitendinosus muscles

The relationships between adipocyte and muscle cell development within muscle are important in the study of factors or agents that may improve meat quality. Neonatal porcine muscle has the potential to yield both cell types for cell culture because it contains developing adipocytes and a high number of muscle satellite cells. Therefore, we modified a conventional collagenase-based procedure to digest neonatal porcine muscle and subsequently cultured the resultant muscle stromal-vascular (SV) cells on several substrata in basal and dexamethasone (DEX)-containing media. Developing myotubes and preadipocytes were present in muscle SV cell cultures on laminin substrata following seeding and plating with fetal bovine serum (FBS) with or without DEX. Myotube number was much higher (P < 0.05) on laminin substrata compared with all other substrata, whereas preadipocyte number in muscle SV cell cultures was independent of substrata, as we have shown previously. This approach can be used to establish co-cultures of differentiating adipocytes and myotubes from collagenase-digested neonatal pig muscle. Because the comparison is within the same culture dish, this method allows for a direct comparison of the responses of adipogenic and myogenic cells to growth and differentiation factors. For example, DEX did not alter myogenesis (i.e., 11 +/- 3 vs. 11 +/- 4 myotubes per unit area for control and DEX-treated cultures, respectively), but it has been shown to markedly increase preadipocyte number in muscle SV cell cultures.     

Microarray-based gene expression analysis combined with laser capture microdissection is beneficial in investigating the modes of action of ocular toxicity

The retina consists of several layers, and drugs can affect the retina and choroid separately. Therefore, investigating the target layers of toxicity can provide useful information pertaining to its modes of action. Herein, we compared gene expression profiles obtained via microarray analyses using samples of target layers collected via laser capture microdissection and samples of the whole globe of the eye of rats treated with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. Pathway analyses suggested changes in the different pathways between the laser capture microdissection samples and the whole globe samples. Consistent with the histological distribution of glial cells, upregulation of several inflammation-related pathways was noted only in the whole globe samples. Individual gene expression analyses revealed several gene expression changes in the laser capture microdissection samples, such as caspase- and glycolysis-related gene expression changes, which is similar to previous reports regarding N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-treated animals; however, caspase- and glycolysis-related gene expressions did not change or changed unexpectedly in the whole globe samples. Analyses of the laser capture microdissection samples revealed new potential candidate genes involved in the modes of action of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced retinal toxicity. Collectively, our results suggest that specific retinal layers, which may be targeted by specific toxins, are beneficial in identifying genes responsible for drug-induced ocular toxicity.     

牛骨骼肌卫星细胞的分离鉴定和诱导分化

为了在体外研究西门塔尔牛的肌肉生长发育过程并建立牛骨骼肌卫星细胞的原代细胞模型。本研究采用0.2%的Ⅱ型胶原酶消化后再使用0.25%胰酶消化获得牛骨骼肌卫星细胞（bovine skeletal satellite cell，BSSC），并利用差速贴壁法分离获得纯化后的BSSC，使用RT-PCR、免疫荧光染色和Western blotting等方法鉴定BSSC，使用成脂诱导剂诱导其分化为脂肪细胞，油红O染色鉴定分化后细胞的成脂能力，使用2%马血清诱导其分化为肌细胞，RT-PCR鉴定静止期PAX7基因和肌细胞的标记基因MyoG在诱导前后表达量的变化。结果发现，分离纯化得到的BSSC呈梭形或纺锤形，细胞形态饱满，折光性强，随着培养时间的延长，细胞由原来的无序生长变为有序生长；RT-PCR检测发现，BSSC表面标志基因Desmin、c-Met、Myf5和特异性标志基因PAX7均呈阳性表达；免疫荧光染色及Western blotting结果显示，PAX7和MyoD基因均呈阳性表达；成脂细胞诱导分化后被油红O大量染色并观察到大量脂滴出现；成肌细胞诱导分化后静止时期PAX7基因表达量诱导前高于诱导分化后，而成肌标记基因MyoG表达量诱导前低于诱导分化后。综上，本研究成功分离获得BSSC，并证明BSSC具有分化成脂肪细胞和肌细胞的能力，为体外研究西门塔尔牛肉制品调控机制提供原代细胞模型。     

Differentiation of skeletal muscle Mesenchymal progenitor cells to myofibroblasts is reversible

Accumulation of intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) and development of fibrous tissues due to accumulation of collagen both affect meat quality such as tenderness, texture, and flavor. Thus, it is important for the production of high‐quality meat to regulate the amount of adipose and fibrous tissues in skeletal muscle. IMAT is comprised of adipocytes, while collagens included in fibrous tissues are mainly produced by activated fibroblasts. Both adipocytes and fibroblasts are differentiated from their common ancestors, called mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPC). We previously established rat MPC clone, 2G11 cells. As several reports implicated the plasticity of fibroblast differentiation, in the present study, using 2G11 cells, we asked whether myofibroblasts differentiated from MPC are capable of re‐gaining adipogenic potential in vitro. By treating with bFGF, their αSMA expression was reduced and adipogenic potential was restored partially. Furthermore, by lowering cell density together with bFGF treatment, 2G11 cell‐derived myofibroblasts lost αSMA expression and showed the highest adipogenic potential, and this was along with their morphological change from flattened‐ to spindle‐like shape, which is typically observed with MPC. These results indicated that MPC‐derived myofibroblasts could re‐acquire adipogenic potential, possibly mediated through returning to an undifferentiated MPC‐like state.     

Ex vivo bupivacaine treatment results in increased adipogenesis of skeletal muscle cells in the rat

Intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) is observed in some skeletal muscle pathologies. IMAT is implicated not only in the disorders of muscle contraction, but also of metabolism and insulin sensitivity due to its nature as a secretary organ. Several studies indicate the presence of cells with adipogenic potential in skeletal muscle. However, the mechanism of fate specification that triggers these cells to enter an adipogenic program in vivo remains to be solved. In the present study, we examined whether activation of the adipogenic program of muscle‐resident cells precedes their proliferation upon muscle injury. For this purpose, muscle injury was induced by injecting bupivacaine (BPVC) to excised skeletal muscle ex vivo. Cells isolated from ex vivo BPVC‐treated muscle exhibited higher adipogenic potential than those from saline‐treated muscle. Pre‐plating exposure of skeletal muscle cells to basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) mimicked the effect of ex vivo BPVC‐treatment, suggesting that bFGF released from extracellular matrix in response to muscle injury activates their adipogenic program. Interestingly, the number of myotubes were significantly reduced in the culture from BPVC‐treated muscle, suggesting that adipocytes negatively regulate myogenesis.     

单细胞转录组测序技术及其在肌内脂肪细胞研究中的应用

单细胞转录组测序(single-cell RNA sequencing, scRNA-seq)技术在单细胞水平对转录组进行测序,可从表达量、细胞量及细胞组成等多种角度描述样本,主要包括单细胞分离、mRNA反转录、文库构建、转录组测序和数据分析等步骤。单细胞分离是scRNA-seq技术操作的第一步,常用的细胞分离方法有连续稀释法、显微操作法、荧光激活流式细胞术、激光捕获显微切割术和微流控技术。基于不同细胞捕获、cDNA扩增和文库构建开发了许多scRNA-seq方法,如CEL-seq2、Drop-seq、MARS-seq、SCRB-seq、Smart-seq、Smart-seq2等。与传统测序方法相比,scRNA-seq可识别单个细胞的基因表达信息、记录细胞的空间位置、跟踪不同细胞谱系在分化过程中的轨迹,这为研究难以大量提取的肌内脂肪细胞分子特异性和发生分化过程带来极大便利。作者简要介绍了scRNA-seq技术的关键步骤,比较分析了单细胞分离和转录组测序方法的优缺点,综述了肌内脂肪细胞的起源以及scRNA-seq在肌内脂肪细胞的亚群和标记基因鉴定以及细胞分化轨迹追踪中的应用,以期为肌内脂肪...     

RNF20及其介导的组蛋白H2B单泛素化对小鼠棕色脂肪细胞分化的影响

旨在研究RNF20及其介导的组蛋白H2B第120位赖氨酸的单泛素化（H2Bub）对小鼠棕色脂肪细胞成脂分化的影响。采集1日龄和2月龄雄性C57BL/6小鼠的棕色脂肪组织（n=3），用Western blot方法检测RNF20的表达及其介导的H2Bub水平。利用胶原酶消化法分离获得1日龄小鼠的棕色前体脂肪细胞。分别诱导棕色前体脂肪细胞和C3H10T1/2细胞系成脂分化，通过油红O染色检测其分化效果，进一步通过Western blot检测细胞分化前后（0和8 d）RNF20的表达及其介导的H2Bub水平。通过siRNA干扰Rnf20基因在C3H10T1/2细胞系中的表达，油红O染色方法观察Rnf20基因对成脂分化的影响，利用qPCR和Western blot技术检测Rnf20基因的干扰效率及其介导的H2Bub水平。结果显示，2月龄小鼠棕色脂肪组织中RNF20表达量及其介导的H2Bub水平均显著高于1日龄小鼠。脂肪细胞分化标记蛋白PPARγ和CEBPα的表达水平，RNF20表达量及其介导的H2Bub水平在棕色前体脂肪细胞及C3H10T1/2细胞成脂分化后均显著增加。此外，在C3H10T1/2细胞中敲降Rnf20基因后，与阴性对照组相比，RNF20及其介导的H2Bub水平显著降低，成脂分化后脂滴明显减少。综上表明，RNF20对小鼠棕色脂肪细胞的分化是必需的，敲降Rnf20基因导致组蛋白H2Bub水平显著降低，且降低了C3H10T1/2细胞的成脂分化效率。本研究丰富了小鼠棕色脂肪细胞分化过程中的表观遗传调控研究，为深入理解动物脂肪细胞分化提供了新的基因素材。     

AMP-activated protein kinase and adipogenesis in sheep fetal skeletal muscle and 3T3-L1 cells

Marbling, or i.m. fat, is an important factor determining beef quality. Both adipogenesis and hypertrophy of existing adipocytes contribute to enhanced marbling. We hypothesized that the fetal stage is important for the formation of i.m. adipocytes and that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has a key role in adipogenesis during this stage. The objective of this study was to assess the role of AMPK in adipogenesis in fetal sheep muscle and 3T3-L1 cells. Nonpregnant ewes were randomly assigned to a control (Con, 100% of NRC recommendations, n = 7) or overfed (OF, 150% of NRC, n = 7) diet from 60 d before to 75 d after conception, when the ewes were killed. The fetal LM was collected at necropsy for biochemical analyses. The activity of AMPK was less in the fetal muscle of OF sheep. The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)gamma, a marker of adipogenesis, was greater in OF fetal muscle compared with Con fetal muscle. To further show the role of AMPK in adipogenesis, we used 3T3-L1 cells. The 3T3-L1 cells were incubated in a standard adipogenic medium for 24 h and 10 d. Activation of AMPK by 5-aminoimidazole-4-car-boxamide-1-beta-d-ribonucleoside dramatically inhibited the expression of PPARgamma and reduced the presence of adipocytes after 10 d of differentiation. Inhibition of AMPK by compound C enhanced the expression of PPARgamma. In conclusion, these data show that AMPK activity is inversely related to adipogenesis in fetal sheep muscle and 3T3-L1 cells.     

Intestinal smooth muscle cells locally enhance stem cell factor (SCF) production against gastrointestinal nematode infections

Smooth muscle cells can produce stem cell factor (SCF) in the normal state for the preservation of mast cells, but it is still unknown whether smooth muscle cells can enhance SCF production in response to the pathological stimuli. The present study showed that smooth muscle cells in mast cell-increased regions around worm cysts of intestinal nematodes significantly enhanced SCF gene expression compared with mast cell non-increased regions in same sample. SCF gene expression in mast cell non-increased regions in nematode-infected mice showed almost the same level as in non-infected control groups. These results indicate that smooth muscle cells can locally enhance SCF gene expression, and may have a role in local immunological reactions as growth factor-producing cells.     

Myogenic and adipogenic properties of goat skeletal muscle stem cells

The aims of the present study were to establish a culture system for goat skeletal muscle stem cells and to examine their myogenic and adipogenic properties in vitro. Cells were isolated from the skeletal muscle of the Shiba goat and cultured in vitro. Most of the cells were positive for myogenic markers, such as Pax7, MyoD, and desmin, and immunocytochemistry revealed they differentiated to form myotubes expressing myosin heavy chain, indicating they were highly myogenic. Myogenic differentiation was strongly suppressed by the addition of basic fibroblast growth factor, while proliferation was unaffected. When the cells were cultured in adipogenic differentiation medium, some of the cells differentiated into mature adipocytes that stained with Oil Red-O. These cells were immunocytochemically positive for adipogenic markers, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR gamma) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-alpha (C/EBP alpha). These results clearly demonstrate the presence of both myogenic and adipogenic stem cells in goat skeletal muscle.     

Adipogenic differentiation state-specific gene expression as related to bovine carcass adiposity

Genetic regulation of the site of fat deposition is not well defined. The objective of this study was to investigate adipogenic differentiation state-specific gene expression in feedlot cattle (>75% Angus; <25% Simmental parentage) of varying adipose accretion patterns. Four groups of 4 steers were selected via ultrasound for the following adipose tissue characteristics: low subcutaneous-low intramuscular (LSQ-LIM), low subcutaneous-high intramuscular (LSQ-HIM), high subcutaneous-low intramuscular (HSQ-LIM), and high subcutaneous-high intramuscular (HSQ-HIM). Adipose tissue from the subcutaneous (SQ) and intramuscular (IM) depots was collected at slaughter. The relative expression of adipogenic genes was evaluated using quantitative PCR. Data were analyzed using the mixed model of SAS, and gene expression data were analyzed using covariate analysis with ribosomal protein L19 as the covariate. No interactions (P > 0.10) were observed between IM and SQ adipose tissue depots for any of the variables measured. Therefore, only the main effects of high and low accretion within a depot and the effects of depot are reported. Steers with LIM had smaller mean diameter IM adipocytes (P < 0.001) than HIM steers. Steers with HSQ had larger mean diameter SQ adipocytes (P < 0.001) than LSQ. However, there were no differences (P > 0.10) in any of the genes measured due to high or low adipose accretion. Preadipogenic delta-like kinase1 mRNA was greater in the IM than the SQ adipose tissue; conversely, differentiating and adipogenic genes, lipoprotein lipase, PPARγ, fatty acid synthetase, and fatty acid binding protein 4 were greater (P < 0.001) in the SQ than the IM depot. Intramuscular adipocytes were smaller than SQ adipocytes and had greater expression of the preadipogenic gene, indicating that more hyperplasia was occurring. Meanwhile, SQ adipose tissue contained much larger (P < 0.001) adipocytes that had a greater expression (P < 0.001) of differentiating and adipogenic genes than did the IM adipose tissue, indicating more cells were undergoing differentiation and hypertrophy. Adipogenic differentiation state-specific gene expression was not different in cattle with various phenotypes, but adipogenesis in the SQ and IM adipose tissues seems to occur independently.     

不同浓度油酸对延边牛骨骼肌卫星细胞成脂转分化的影响

试验旨在探究油酸对延边牛骨骼肌卫星细胞成脂转分化的影响。试验设1个空白对照组（CON）和3个油酸（OA）诱导组：50、100、200 μmol/L油酸组（OAL、OAM、OAH）。油酸诱导96 h后,通过测定细胞大小及活力评估油酸对细胞的影响。通过油红O染色和测定甘油三酯来验证脂滴的形成,通过实时荧光定量PCR测定相关成肌成脂基因的表达水平来验证脂肪细胞的生成。结果显示,与对照组相比,添加油酸后,延边牛骨骼肌卫星细胞内有脂滴生成,并且脂滴形成量、甘油三酯累积量与油酸呈剂量依赖关系;实时荧光定量PCR测定结果表明,成肌相关因子Pax3、MyoD显著下调（P<0.05）,成脂相关因子C/EBPβ、PPARγ显著上调（P<0.05）,脂肪酸代谢相关因子SCD显著下调（P<0.05）,PLIN2基因显著上调（P<0.05）。综合上述试验结果,用油酸诱导处理延边牛骨骼肌卫星细胞可促进细胞的成脂转分化。