Optimization of the scratch assay for in vitro skeletal muscle wound healing analysis.

Myoblast migration is essential for muscle development, regeneration, and repair. Various assays are available for the study of migration; however, many are not suitable for the analysis of myoblast migration during skeletal muscle wound repair. Furthermore, versatility (e.g., to investigate the effect of the extracellular matrix on cell movement) is limited within these methods. Here we report the optimization of the scratch assay specifically for two-dimensional myoblast migration and discuss the advantages of this assay in comparison with other commercially available methods.