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Updated: Jul 14, 2025

Assessing Functional Metrics of Skeletal Muscle Health in Human Skeletal Muscle Microtissues
Published on: February 18, 2021
Skeletal muscle extracellular matrix structure under applied deformation observed using second harmonic generation
Niamh Hennessy1, Ciaran Simms1
1Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Biomedical Engineering, Parsons Building, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) microscopy visualizes the extracellular matrix (ECM) in skeletal muscle. This technique reveals how collagen fibers reorganize under tension and compression, improving biomechanical models.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Biomaterials Science
- Microscopy
Background:
- Passive skeletal muscle properties are crucial for biomechanical models.
- Extracellular matrix (ECM) architecture significantly influences these properties.
- ECM structure and its deformation behavior are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) microscopy to visualize skeletal muscle ECM.
- To investigate the realignment of ECM structures under tensile and compressive deformation.
- To understand collagen fiber reorganization in intact muscle samples.
Main Methods:
- Utilized SHG microscopy for high-resolution imaging of muscle ECM.
- Developed a regional relocation method to track the same ECM segment before and after deformation.
- Examined ECM in undeformed, compressed, and tensioned states at multiple scales.
Main Results:
- SHG microscopy provided detailed visualization of skeletal muscle ECM, particularly the perimysium.
- Observed and imaged collagen fiber reorganization in response to tensile and compressive forces.
- Documented the perimysium's response to a partial thickness cut under tensile load.
Conclusions:
- SHG microscopy is effective for studying skeletal muscle ECM structure and dynamics.
- Revealed insights into collagen fiber reorientation crucial for understanding muscle mechanics.
- Provides a foundation for enhanced musculoskeletal modeling and simulation.
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