Myogenesis on microcarrier cultures.

The capacity of embryonic chick myoblasts to grow in vitro on DEAE-cellulose microcarriers (MC) has been investigated biochemically and morphologically. The cells attached to the MC, replicated and fused to form elongated myotubes. These myotubes synthesized muscle-specific proteins, such as creatine kinase (CK) and acetylcholine receptors (AChR), and they contracted spontaneously. Some of the advantages of this technique are: a) Tridimensional development of myotubes on MC with orientation of fibers parallel to each other; b) Muscle cells can be cultured on MC for long periods (months); c) Easy harvesting of samples at any time during cultivation; d) DEAE-cellulose MC are commercially available, inexpensive and easy to handle.