Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 5, 2026
09:30
Assessing Functional Metrics of Skeletal Muscle Health in Human Skeletal Muscle Microtissues
Published on: February 18, 2021
4.7K
Engineering of Human Skeletal Muscle With an Autologous Deposited Extracellular Matrix
Lieven Thorrez1, Katherine DiSano2, Janet Shansky3
1Tissue Engineering Laboratory, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven Kulak, Kortrijk, Belgium.
Frontiers in Physiology
|September 5, 2018
Summary
This study enhances bio-artificial muscles (BAMs) by promoting collagen deposition and reducing fibrin. This strategy improves tissue structure and mechanical properties for potential in vivo applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Bio-artificial muscles (BAMs) are engineered from skeletal muscle progenitor cells within an extracellular matrix (ECM).
- Fibrin, a common ECM component, supports in vitro vasculogenesis but requires high fibrinolysis inhibitor concentrations to maintain tissue structure, posing challenges for in vivo use.
- Degradation of fibrin ECM can compromise BAM tissue integrity, limiting their therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To adapt in vitro culture conditions to enhance de novo collagen type I deposition within BAMs.
- To investigate methods for gradually replacing degrading fibrin ECM with self-synthesized collagen.
- To improve the mechanical properties and structural integrity of engineered BAMs for potential in vivo applications.
Main Methods:
- Engineered BAMs using fibrin as the primary ECM.
- Supplemented tissue culture medium with proline, hydroxyproline, and ascorbic acid to promote collagen synthesis.
- Varied fibrin content within the BAM constructs.
- Characterized in vitro viscoelastic properties (Young's Modulus, maximum strain) and collagen deposition.
Main Results:
- Supplementation with proline, hydroxyproline, and ascorbic acid resulted in a twofold increase in Young's Modulus and a 1.6-fold increase in collagen deposition.
- These supplements also led to a 2.5-fold decrease in maximum strain, indicating enhanced stiffness.
- Reducing fibrin content further increased Young's Modulus, decreased maximum strain, and promoted collagen deposition.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced deposition of de novo synthesized collagen type I can improve the mechanical properties and structural stability of BAMs.
- Optimized tissue engineering strategies can mitigate the limitations of fibrin-based ECMs for BAMs.
- Tissue engineering BAMs with autologous ECM components holds promise for prolonged in vivo survival and function.
Related Concept Videos
01:42The Extracellular Matrix
89.1K
Overview
89.1K
01:29The Extracellular Matrix
12.3K
Overview
In order to maintain tissue organization, many animal cells are surrounded by structural molecules that make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). Together, the molecules in the ECM maintain the structural integrity of tissue as well as the remarkable specific properties of certain tissues.
Composition of the Extracellular Matrix
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse...
In order to maintain tissue organization, many animal cells are surrounded by structural molecules that make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). Together, the molecules in the ECM maintain the structural integrity of tissue as well as the remarkable specific properties of certain tissues.
Composition of the Extracellular Matrix
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse...
12.3K
01:48Classification of Skeletal Muscle Fibers
59.5K
Skeletal muscles continuously produce ATP to provide the energy that enables muscle contractions. Skeletal muscle fibers can be categorized into three types based on differences in their contraction speed and how they produce ATP, as well as physical differences related to these factors. Most human muscles contain all three muscle fiber types, albeit in varying proportions.
Slow-Twitch Muscle Fibers
Slow oxidative, muscle fibers appear red due to large numbers of capillaries and high levels of...
Slow-Twitch Muscle Fibers
Slow oxidative, muscle fibers appear red due to large numbers of capillaries and high levels of...
59.5K
01:26Extracellular Matrix
5.5K
Unlike epithelial tissue, which is composed of cells closely packed with little or no extracellular space in between, connective tissue cells are dispersed in a matrix. This extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of fibrous proteins like collagen, elastin, and fibronectin in a ground substance consisting of interstitial fluid, cell adhesion proteins, and proteoglycans. The proteoglycans form a gel-like material in the spaces between cells and provide hydration, buffering, binding, and force...
5.5K
01:15Overview of Skeletal Muscle
14.7K
Skeletal muscles are composed of a bundle of muscle fibers and are attached to bones through tendons. Each skeletal muscle fiber is a single muscle cell. The sarcolemma, the plasma membrane of a skeletal muscle cell, consists of a lipid bilayer and glycocalyx that supports muscle fibers. The sarcolemma extends into the muscle cells to form tubular structures called transverse or T-tubules. Each side of the T-tubules consists of a membrane-bound structure called the sarcoplasmic reticulum,...
14.7K
01:29Relaxation of Skeletal Muscles
5.9K
The period of muscle contraction primarily influences the duration of stimulation at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the presence of free calcium ions in the sarcoplasm, and the availability of energy or ATP to support contractions.
When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it depolarizes the membrane and opens voltage-gated sodium channels. Sodium ions enter the cell, further depolarizing the presynaptic membrane. This depolarization causes voltage-gated calcium channels to open....
When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it depolarizes the membrane and opens voltage-gated sodium channels. Sodium ions enter the cell, further depolarizing the presynaptic membrane. This depolarization causes voltage-gated calcium channels to open....
5.9K