Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 1, 2026

Precision Measurements and Parametric Models of Vertebral Endplates
Published on: September 17, 2019
Motor endplate-expressing cartilage-muscle implants for reconstruction of a denervated hemilarynx
Sarah Brookes1, Sherry Voytik-Harbin1,2, Hongji Zhang3
1Department of Basic Medical Sciences, West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S.A.
Objective:
Tissue engineering of the larynx requires a complex, multiple tissue layer design. Additionally, spontaneous reinnervation of the larynx after recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury is often disorganized, resulting in subpar function. This study investigates use of tissue-engineered cartilage and motor endplate-expressing (MEE) tissue-engineered skeletal muscle implants for laryngeal reconstruction and the promotion of organized reinnervation after RLN injury.
Methods:
F344 rat primary muscle progenitor cells (MPCs) were isolated. Three-dimensional muscle constructs were created by encapsulating MPCs in type I oligomeric collagen under passive tension. Constructs were then cultured in differentiation medium (MPC control constructs) or induced to form motor endplates (MEE constructs) with neurotrophic agents. Three-dimensional cartilage constructs were created with adipose stem cells differentiated in chondrocyte medium. The muscle and cartilage constructs were implanted into surgically created myochondral defects in the F344 rat larynx with injured or intact (control) RLN. At 1-, 3-, and 6-month timepoints, videolaryngoscopy, electromyography (EMG), histology, and immunohistochemistry were used to assess outcomes.
Results:
At all timepoints, cartilage-muscle implants were well integrated into host tissue. Functionally, there was increased vocal fold adduction and EMG activity in nerve-injured rats treated with the MEE constructs when compared to those treated with the MPC control constructs. Motor endplate-expressing constructs had increased myofiber cross-sectional area compared to MPC control constructs.
Conclusion:
Although our laboratory previously demonstrated that muscle and cartilage constructs could be used separately for hemilaryngeal reconstruction, this study suggests combining them with the modification of MEEs rather than MPCs, resulting in improved muscle recovery after recurrent laryngeal nerve injury.
Level Of Evidence:
NA Laryngoscope, 129:1293-1300, 2019.
Related Concept Videos
Muscles for Facial Expressions
What is Gene Expression?
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...
Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue
Reconstruction of Signal using Interpolation
Motor Units
Motor Units
Motor units come in different sizes, with smaller units...

