Investigating Satellite Cell Count in Skeletal Muscle of GNE Myopathy Murine Model
Start Date
April 2025
Location
3rd floor - Library
Abstract
Satellite cells are important parts of muscle tissue because they regenerate the damaged tissue after exercise. The number of satellite cells can be disrupted in pathology. For example, in muscular dystrophies, the quantity of satellite cells can be lower because they are working to salvage damaged tissue. GNE Myopathy (GNEM) is an adult-onset muscular disorder caused by mutations in the GNE gene; however, the effects of this disease on satellite cell numbers are currently unknown. This study aims at analyzing the effects of GNEM on satellite cell quantities in muscle tissue using a GNEM mouse model. The muscle tissue was stained using immunohistochemistry staining and viewed under a fluorescent microscope to capture images of the cells. After this, the number of satellite cells was quantified and compared between wild type and knock-in mice. The data from the satellite cell quantification and statistical analysis resulted in there being an average of 0.0067 more satellite cells per muscle fiber in the knock-in model of the mice compared to the wild type mice. However, this value is not significant as the p-value for this comparison was 0.135. An understanding of satellite cell numbers in GNEM can inform future avenues for treatment for this devastating disease.
Investigating Satellite Cell Count in Skeletal Muscle of GNE Myopathy Murine Model
3rd floor - Library
Satellite cells are important parts of muscle tissue because they regenerate the damaged tissue after exercise. The number of satellite cells can be disrupted in pathology. For example, in muscular dystrophies, the quantity of satellite cells can be lower because they are working to salvage damaged tissue. GNE Myopathy (GNEM) is an adult-onset muscular disorder caused by mutations in the GNE gene; however, the effects of this disease on satellite cell numbers are currently unknown. This study aims at analyzing the effects of GNEM on satellite cell quantities in muscle tissue using a GNEM mouse model. The muscle tissue was stained using immunohistochemistry staining and viewed under a fluorescent microscope to capture images of the cells. After this, the number of satellite cells was quantified and compared between wild type and knock-in mice. The data from the satellite cell quantification and statistical analysis resulted in there being an average of 0.0067 more satellite cells per muscle fiber in the knock-in model of the mice compared to the wild type mice. However, this value is not significant as the p-value for this comparison was 0.135. An understanding of satellite cell numbers in GNEM can inform future avenues for treatment for this devastating disease.
