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Human Skeletal Muscle Cells (SkMC)
Primary Human Skeletal Muscle Cells (SkMC) are isolated from different skeletal muscles (e.g. Musculus pectoralis major) from adult single donors (lot specific source information is available on request).
New skeletal muscle cells originate from quiescent satellite cells, which are located in the muscle fibers between the basal lamina and the sarcolemma. Quiescent satellite cells are activated by stimuli such as muscle damage. After activation, the cells, now called myoblasts, start to proliferate and fuse with damaged muscle fibers or with one another forming new myotubes.
SkMC are optimal for in vitro muscle studies. They proliferate very well in our mitogen-rich Skeletal Muscle Cell Growth Medium. Fusion to myotubes with typical multinucleated syncytia can be induced by using our Skeletal Muscle Cell Differentiation Medium.
- Request our GMP grade cell culture media for skeletal muscle cells.
- Our SkMC are now also available from HLA-typed donors.
Recommended plating density | 3500 - 7000 cells per cm2 |
Passage after thawing | P2 |
Tested markers | Differentiation capacity to multinucleate syncytia tested |
Guaranteed population doubling | > 15 |


Short protocol:
- Trypsinize the cells as usual
- Centrifuge and resuspend in suitable cold freezing medium at a density of 1-4 x 106 cells/ml
- Cool down the cells slowly to -80°C (approx. -1°C per min). We recommend to use "Mr. Frosty" from Nalge or "CoolCell" from Biocision; which both provide gradual and controlled cooling rates when placed in a -80°C freezer overnight.
- Transfer the vials into liquid nitrogen for long-term storage
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells (C-12974/C-12971/C-12977) need Fibronectin-coating when grown in PromoCell MSC Growth Medium XF (C-28019) and when differentiated in MSC Neurogenic (C-28015); Adipogenic (C-28016); or Osteogenic (C-28013) Differentiation Media.
- Human monocyte-derived macrophages (C-12914/C-12916/C-12915/C-12917) must be seeded into Fibronectin-coated culture vessels in combination with PromoCell's M1- and M2-Generation Media XF (C-28055; C-28056).
- For efficient induction of osteoblast mineralization with PromoCell's Osteoblast Mineralization Medium (C-27020); the TC plates should be pre-coated with collagen type I.
- Liquid phase storage provides a consistent temperature of -196°C; a longer holding time and a greater vial capacity but involves the risk of contamination issues.
- Storage in the gas phase is very safe with respect to contaminations but the holding time of the cells is shorter and the vial capacity is reduced.





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Skeletal Muscle Cell Growth Medium
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