ASTM F3369-19E01 - Standard Guide for Assessing the Skeletal Myoblast Phenotype

1.1 Myogenic differentiation is a process regulated by specific transcription factors and signaling molecules that have been shown to induce a myogenic phenotype. Transcription factors mark the stages of myogenesis and act as benchmarks for use in myogenic assays.

1.2 This guide applies to mammalian cells but does not apply to non-mammalian cells as the myogenic markers for non-mammalian cells can be different than those described here.

1.3 This guide proposes appropriate markers to measure when conducting myogenic differentiation assays. This guide describes the stages for multipotent stem cell differentiation toward myoblasts and myotubes. This guide provides information about the appropriate methods to determine myogenic differentiation. This guide does not provide information about media, supplements, or substrates that drive differentiation toward a myogenic phenotype.

1.4 The purpose of this guide is to act as an aid for work performed in the area of skeletal myogenesis. Using this guide, researchers should be able to understand which skeletal muscle markers are best suited for experiments. This guide will improve consistency for studies of myogenic differentiation of multipotent stem cells by identifying appropriate markers for each stage leading to myocyte differentiation. It should be noted that myoblast differentiation in vitro may not be predictive of results that may be obtained in vivo.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.