Abstract
Single Cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a powerful technique to deconvolute gene expression of various subset of cells intermingled within a complex tissue, such as the skeletal muscle. We first used scRNA-seq to understand dynamics of cell populations and their gene expression during muscle regeneration in murine limb muscles. This leads to the identification of a subset of satellite cells (the resident stem cells of skeletal muscles) with immune gene signatures in regenerating muscles. Next, we used scRNA-seq to examine gene expression dynamics of satellite cells at various status: quiescence, activation, proliferation, differentiation and self-renewal. This analysis uncovers stage-dependent changes in expression of genes related to lipid metabolism. Further analyses lead to the discovery of previously unappreciated dynamics of lipid droplets in satellite cells; and demonstrate that the abundance of the lipid droplets in newly divided satellite daughter cells is linked to cell fate segregation into differentiation versus self-renewal. Perturbation of lipid droplet dynamics through blocking lipolysis disrupts cell fate homeostasis and impairs muscle regeneration. Finally, we show that lipid metabolism regulates the function of satellite cells through two mechanisms. On one hand, lipid metabolism functions as an energy source through fatty acid oxidation (FAO), and blockage of FAO reduces energy production that is critical for satellite cell function. On the other hand, lipid metabolism generates bioactive molecules that influence signaling transduction and gene expression. In this scenario, lipid metabolism and FAO regulate the intracellular levels of acetyl-coA and selective acetylation of PAX7, a pivotal transcriptional factor underlying function of satellite cells. These results together reveal for the first time a critical role of lipid metabolism and lipid droplet dynamics in muscle satellite cell fate determination and regenerative function; and underscore a potential role of dietary fatty acids in satellite cell-dependent muscle development, growth and regeneration.
Seipin-Mediated Contacts as Gatekeepers of Lipid Flux at the Endoplasmic Reticulum–Lipid Droplet Nexus
