Cripto regulates skeletal muscle regeneration and modulates satellite cell determination by antagonizing myostatin

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Nov 20;109(47):E3231-40. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1204017109. Epub 2012 Nov 5.

Abstract

Skeletal muscle regeneration mainly depends on satellite cells, a population of resident muscle stem cells. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying satellite cell activation is still largely undefined. Here, we show that Cripto, a regulator of early embryogenesis, is a novel regulator of muscle regeneration and satellite cell progression toward the myogenic lineage. Conditional inactivation of cripto in adult satellite cells compromises skeletal muscle regeneration, whereas gain of function of Cripto accelerates regeneration, leading to muscle hypertrophy. Moreover, we provide evidence that Cripto modulates myogenic cell determination and promotes proliferation by antagonizing the TGF-β ligand myostatin. Our data provide unique insights into the molecular and cellular basis of Cripto activity in skeletal muscle regeneration and raise previously undescribed implications for stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cell Lineage*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Targeting
  • Hypertrophy
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Models, Animal
  • Muscle Development
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / pathology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology*
  • Myoblasts / metabolism
  • Myoblasts / pathology
  • Myostatin / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Myostatin / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Regeneration*
  • Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle / metabolism*
  • Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle / pathology*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Myostatin
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Tdgf1 protein, mouse
  • Epidermal Growth Factor