Can autologous myoblasts be used as a potential bulking agent?

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Urology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Myoblast transplantation shows promise for tissue regeneration.
• Autologous myoblasts were investigated for treating vesico-ureteric reflux.
• The potential of myoblasts as bulking agents was unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess autologous myoblast behavior at the vesico-ureteric junction (VUJ).
• To evaluate myoblasts as a potential bulking agent for tissue augmentation.
• To determine the viability and differentiation of transplanted myoblasts in different volumes.

Main Methods:

• Muscle biopsies were obtained from 10 pigs.
• Myoblasts were labeled with PKH26 and transplanted into the VUJ, proximal urethra, and rhabdosphincter in varying volumes (1 mL vs. 0.1 mL).
• Cell survival, differentiation into myofibers, and inflammatory responses were assessed via fluorescence microscopy and histology 8 weeks post-transplantation.

Main Results:

• Autologous myoblasts formed intact layers at the outermost borders of large VUJ depots.
• Necrosis was observed in the central regions of large cell depots, with viable cells only at the periphery.
• Transplanted myoblasts survived and differentiated into myotubes within the urethral and rhabdosphincter walls following small volume injections.

Conclusions:

• Transplanted autologous myoblasts can survive and differentiate into myofibers when injected in small depots.
• The majority of myoblasts undergo necrosis when transplanted in large volumes.
• Myoblasts are not suitable for augmenting large tissue volumes or as bulking agents.