Muscle PGC-1α modulates satellite cell number and proliferation by remodeling the stem cell niche

BACKGROUND: The myogenic capacity of satellite cells (SCs), adult muscle stem cells, is influenced by aging, exercise, and other factors. In skeletal muscle, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) is a key regulator of oxidative metabolism and endurance training adaptation. However, a link between PGC-1α and SC behavior remains unexplored. METHODS: We have now studied SC function in a PGC-1α fiber-specific gain-of-function animal model. RESULTS: In surprising contrast to bona fide exercise, muscle-specific PGC-1α transgenic mice have lower SC numbers. Nevertheless, SCs from these mice have a higher propensity for activation and proliferation. Intriguingly, muscle PGC-1α triggers a remodeling of the SC niche by altering the extracellular matrix composition, including the levels of fibronectin, which affects the proliferative output of SCs. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, PGC-1α indirectly affects SC plasticity in skeletal muscle and thereby might contribute to improved SC activation in exercise. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13395-016-0111-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.