Effects of ascorbate on myogenesis in micromass culture

• Published in: In vitro cellular & developmental biology Vol. 26; no. 3 Pt 1; p. 259
• Main Authors: Archer, C W, Cottrill, C P, Lee, D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.1990
• Subjects: Animals; Ascorbic Acid - pharmacology; Cartilage - cytology; Cell Differentiation - drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Chick Embryo; Culture Media; Glycosaminoglycans - biosynthesis; Muscles - cytology; Muscles - drug effects; Muscles - metabolism
• ISSN: 0883-8364
• DOI: 10.1007/bf02624455

Micromass cultures from stage 23 and 24 chick wing mesenchyme were grown in serum-containing medium with or without additional ascorbic acid. It was found that ascorbic acid administered as a single pulse or present continuously throughout culture, in concentrations as low as 25 micrograms/ml, was sufficient to abolish 80% of myogenesis as assessed by immunolocalization using muscle-specific antibodies. This effect was not significantly altered when cultures were maintained in a serum-free medium that promotes myogenesis. In contrast to the above findings, spectrophotometric analysis of accumulated sulphated glycosaminoglycans, an indicator of chondrogenesis, was elevated by ascorbate treatment. Furthermore, a similar level of glycosaminoglycan stimulation was found in ascorbate treated stage 23 distal-tip limb cultures that were essentially free of myogenic cells. We conclude, therefore, that the presence of myoblasts in whole-limb cultures has no appreciable inhibitory effects on chondrogenesis.