Unraveling the matrisome signatures of quiescent and activated muscle stem cells.

Abstract

The extracellular matrix (ECM) forms a dynamic microenvironment, known as the "niche," that influences muscle stem cell (MuSC) behavior. Its composition and topology remain underexplored. Using bioinformatics analysis of publicly available transcriptomic data, we profiled the matrisome of skeletal muscle-resident cells and identified quiescent MuSCs as key ECM producers. Their matrisome includes novel markers such as the basement membrane zone genes Col19a1 and Lama3, ECM assembly regulators Thsd4 and Aebp1, and notably, matrisome genes linked to neurogenesis. Light-sheet immunofluorescence microscopy of selected ECM components in isolated murine myofiber bundles revealed niche-specific ECM components associated with MuSCs. Upon activation, these cells shifted their gene expression, downregulating niche-associated ECM genes while upregulating those involved in basement membrane disruption and cell motility. These findings identify distinct matrisome signatures in quiescent and activated MuSCs, emphasizing the critical role of ECM in locally regulating MuSC states and highlighting its therapeutic potential for muscle regeneration.