Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Transplantation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Mesoangioblast-like Myogenic Progenitors in Mouse Models of Muscle Regeneration
Published on: January 20, 2014
Reprogramming of Myeloid Responses to Volumetric Muscle Loss via Engineered Protein Nanoparticles
Jesus A Castor-Macias1,2, Celeste Piotto1,2, Paige Rudy1,2
1Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States.
Volumetric muscle loss (VML) injuries trigger inflammatory responses impacting recovery. Targeting immune cells with AICAR-loaded nanoparticles can reduce inflammation and improve muscle regeneration outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Muscle regeneration
- Immunology
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Volumetric muscle loss (VML) from trauma or surgery causes chronic inflammation, hindering neuromuscular function recovery.
- Understanding the immune response to VML is crucial for improving tissue repair and regenerative outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the monocyte and macrophage response in VML injuries leading to fibrosis versus regeneration.
- To investigate the therapeutic potential of the AMPK agonist AICAR, delivered via nanoparticles, in modulating the immune response post-VML.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of immune cell populations (monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils) in VML injury models.
- Administration of AICAR and AICAR-loaded synthetic protein nanoparticles to VML-injured subjects.
- Assessment of nanoparticle biodistribution and immune cell phenotype modulation.
Main Results:
- VML injuries resulting in fibrosis showed increased pro-inflammatory and scar-associated macrophages.
- AICAR administration reduced neutrophil and macrophage infiltration post-VML.
- AICAR-loaded nanoparticles demonstrated targeted uptake by immune cells, minimal off-target tissue distribution, and modulated macrophage phenotypes.
Conclusions:
- Immune cell dynamics, particularly macrophage phenotypes, are critical in determining VML injury outcomes (fibrosis vs. regeneration).
- AICAR-loaded nanoparticles offer a promising strategy for targeted immune modulation to enhance muscle regeneration after VML.
- This approach establishes a paradigm for controlling immune dysfunction in VML injuries.
More Related Videos
09:17Minimally Invasive Muscle Embedding MIME - A Novel Experimental Technique to Facilitate Donor-Cell-Mediated Myogenesis
Published on: August 24, 2017
06:46In Vivo Functional Assessment of Rat Masseter Muscle Following Surgical Creation of a Volumetric Muscle Loss (VML) Injury
Published on: November 15, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Mechanical Protein Functions
Proteins: From Genes to Degradation
Transcription is the synthesis of RNA molecules by RNA...
Mechanical Protein Function
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...