Satellite cells, also called muscle stem cells, are known to be unique in their abilities to produce differentiated daughter cells or to retain their stem cell identity by self-renewal. They can divide symmetrically or asymmetrically. After asymmetric cell division, two daughter cells can adapt different cell fates. Recent research work suggests that asymmetric cell division is one of the fundamental characteristics of stem cells underlying the process of self-renewal. Previously, some work suggests that canonical Wnt signal plays an important role in myogenic lineage progression and it has been implicated in promoting satellite cells to adapt an alternative fate in aged muscle, rendering satellite cells dysfunctional and resulting in an impairment of muscle regeneration in aged...[ Read more ]

Satellite cells, also called muscle stem cells, are known to be unique in their abilities to produce differentiated daughter cells or to retain their stem cell identity by self-renewal. They can divide symmetrically or asymmetrically. After asymmetric cell division, two daughter cells can adapt different cell fates. Recent research work suggests that asymmetric cell division is one of the fundamental characteristics of stem cells underlying the process of self-renewal. Previously, some work suggests that canonical Wnt signal plays an important role in myogenic lineage progression and it has been implicated in promoting satellite cells to adapt an alternative fate in aged muscle, rendering satellite cells dysfunctional and resulting in an impairment of muscle regeneration in aged animals. During embryonic stem cell division, the daughter cell that receives proximal Wnt signal retains its stemness and the distal daughter cell acquired the ability of differentiation.

However, it is currently unclear whether localized Wnt/ß-catenin signals can direct asymmetric cell division in satellite cells. It is proposed that Wnt signal could be exploited in order to promote tissue regeneration after injury. This project will investigate the relationship between canonical Wnt signaling and satellite cell asymmetric division. Furthermore, it will provide some insights into how canonical Wnt signals affect satellite cell divergent cell fates decision, so that we can find some practical use of Wnt signals in manipulating satellite cells.