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Khodabukus A, Prabhu NK, Roberts T, Buldo M, Detwiler A, Fralish ZD, Kondash ME, Truskey GA, Koves TR, Bursac N. Bioengineered Model of Human LGMD2B Skeletal Muscle Reveals Roles of Intracellular Calcium Overload in Contractile and Metabolic Dysfunction in Dysferlinopathy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2400188. [PMID: 38887849 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202400188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Dysferlin is a multi-functional protein that regulates membrane resealing, calcium homeostasis, and lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle. Genetic loss of dysferlin results in limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2B/2R (LGMD2B/2R) and other dysferlinopathies - rare untreatable muscle diseases that lead to permanent loss of ambulation in humans. The mild disease severity in dysferlin-deficient mice and diverse genotype-phenotype relationships in LGMD2B patients have prompted the development of new in vitro models for personalized studies of dysferlinopathy. Here the first 3-D tissue-engineered hiPSC-derived skeletal muscle ("myobundle") model of LGMD2B is described that exhibits compromised contractile function, calcium-handling, and membrane repair, and transcriptomic changes indicative of impaired oxidative metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction. In response to the fatty acid (FA) challenge, LGMD2B myobundles display mitochondrial deficits and intracellular lipid droplet (LD) accumulation. Treatment with the ryanodine receptor (RyR) inhibitor dantrolene or the dissociative glucocorticoid vamorolone restores LGMD2B contractility, improves membrane repair, and reduces LD accumulation. Lastly, it is demonstrated that chemically induced chronic RyR leak in healthy myobundles phenocopies LGMD2B contractile and metabolic deficit, but not the loss of membrane repair capacity. Together, these results implicate intramyocellular Ca2+ leak as a critical driver of dysferlinopathic phenotype and validate the myobundle system as a platform to study LGMD2B pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair Khodabukus
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Neel K Prabhu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Taylor Roberts
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Meghan Buldo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Amber Detwiler
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Zachary D Fralish
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Megan E Kondash
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Timothy R Koves
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Nenad Bursac
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
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2
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Bersini S, Arrigoni C, Talò G, Candrian C, Moretti M. Complex or not too complex? One size does not fit all in next generation microphysiological systems. iScience 2024; 27:109199. [PMID: 38433912 PMCID: PMC10904982 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
In the attempt to overcome the increasingly recognized shortcomings of existing in vitro and in vivo models, researchers have started to implement alternative models, including microphysiological systems. First examples were represented by 2.5D systems, such as microfluidic channels covered by cell monolayers as blood vessel replicates. In recent years, increasingly complex microphysiological systems have been developed, up to multi-organ on chip systems, connecting different 3D tissues in the same device. However, such an increase in model complexity raises several questions about their exploitation and implementation into industrial and clinical applications, ranging from how to improve their reproducibility, robustness, and reliability to how to meaningfully and efficiently analyze the huge amount of heterogeneous datasets emerging from these devices. Considering the multitude of envisaged applications for microphysiological systems, it appears now necessary to tailor their complexity on the intended purpose, being academic or industrial, and possibly combine results deriving from differently complex stages to increase their predictive power.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Bersini
- Regenerative Medicine Technologies Lab, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, via Chiesa 5, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Service of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Department of Surgery, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, via Tesserete 46, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Euler Institute, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), via Buffi 13, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Arrigoni
- Regenerative Medicine Technologies Lab, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, via Chiesa 5, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Service of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Department of Surgery, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, via Tesserete 46, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Euler Institute, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), via Buffi 13, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppe Talò
- Cell and Tissue Engineering Laboratory, IRCCS Ospedale Galeazzi – Sant’Ambrogio, via Cristina Belgioioso 173, 20157 Milano, Italy
| | - Christian Candrian
- Service of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Department of Surgery, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, via Tesserete 46, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Euler Institute, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), via Buffi 13, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Matteo Moretti
- Regenerative Medicine Technologies Lab, Laboratories for Translational Research, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, via Chiesa 5, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
- Service of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Department of Surgery, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, via Tesserete 46, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Euler Institute, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), via Buffi 13, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
- Cell and Tissue Engineering Laboratory, IRCCS Ospedale Galeazzi – Sant’Ambrogio, via Cristina Belgioioso 173, 20157 Milano, Italy
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3
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Strash N, DeLuca S, Janer Carattini GL, Chen Y, Wu T, Helfer A, Scherba J, Wang I, Jain M, Naseri R, Bursac N. Time-dependent effects of BRAF-V600E on cell cycling, metabolism, and function in engineered myocardium. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadh2598. [PMID: 38266090 PMCID: PMC10807800 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh2598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Candidate cardiomyocyte (CM) mitogens such as those affecting the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway represent potential targets for functional heart regeneration. We explored whether activating ERK via a constitutively active mutant of B-raf proto-oncogene (BRAF), BRAF-V600E (caBRAF), can induce proproliferative effects in neonatal rat engineered cardiac tissues (ECTs). Sustained CM-specific caBRAF expression induced chronic ERK activation, substantial tissue growth, deficit in sarcomeres and contractile function, and tissue stiffening, all of which persisted for at least 4 weeks of culture. caBRAF-expressing CMs in ECTs exhibited broad transcriptomic changes, shift to glycolytic metabolism, loss of connexin-43, and a promigratory phenotype. Transient, doxycycline-controlled caBRAF expression revealed that the induction of CM cycling is rapid and precedes functional decline, and the effects are reversible only with short-lived ERK activation. Together, direct activation of the BRAF kinase is sufficient to modulate CM cycling and functional phenotype, offering mechanistic insights into roles of ERK signaling in the context of cardiac development and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sophia DeLuca
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham NC, USA
| | | | - Yifan Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham NC, USA
| | - Tianyu Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham NC, USA
| | - Abbigail Helfer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham NC, USA
| | - Jacob Scherba
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham NC, USA
| | - Isabella Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham NC, USA
| | - Mehul Jain
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham NC, USA
| | - Ramona Naseri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham NC, USA
| | - Nenad Bursac
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham NC, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham NC, USA
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Yuen JS, Barrick BM, DiCindio H, Pietropinto JA, Kaplan DL. Optimization of Culture Media and Cell Ratios for 3D In Vitro Skeletal Muscle Tissues with Endothelial Cells. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2023; 9:4558-4566. [PMID: 37326372 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c00358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
A major challenge of engineering larger macroscale tissues in vitro is the limited diffusion of nutrients and oxygen to the interior. For skeletal muscle, this limitation results in millimeter scale outcomes to avoid necrosis. One method to address this constraint may be to vascularize in vitro-grown muscle tissue, to support nutrient (culture media) flow into the interior of the structure. In this exploratory study, we examine culture conditions that enable myogenic development and endothelial cell survival within tissue engineered 3D muscles. Myoblasts (C2C12s), endothelial cells (HUVECs), and endothelial support cells (C3H 10T1/2s) were seeded into Matrigel-fibrin hydrogels and cast into 3D printed frames to form 3D in vitro skeletal muscle tissues. Our preliminary results suggest that the simultaneous optimization of culture media formulation and cell concentrations is necessary for 3D cultured muscles to exhibit robust myosin heavy chain expression and GFP expression from GFP-transfected endothelial cells. The ability to form differentiated 3D muscles containing endothelial cells is a key step toward achieving vascularized 3D muscle tissues, which have potential use as tissue for implantation in a medical setting, as well as for future foods such as cultivated meats.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Sk Yuen
- David Kaplan Laboratory, Biomedical Engineering Department, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Brigid M Barrick
- David Kaplan Laboratory, Biomedical Engineering Department, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Hailey DiCindio
- David Kaplan Laboratory, Biomedical Engineering Department, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Jaymie A Pietropinto
- David Kaplan Laboratory, Biomedical Engineering Department, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - David L Kaplan
- David Kaplan Laboratory, Biomedical Engineering Department, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford, Massachusetts 02215, United States
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Ostrovidov S, Ramalingam M, Bae H, Orive G, Fujie T, Hori T, Nashimoto Y, Shi X, Kaji H. Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Based Sensors for the Detection of Skeletal- and Cardiac-Muscle-Related Analytes. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:5625. [PMID: 37420790 DOI: 10.3390/s23125625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthetic polymers with specific binding sites that present high affinity and spatial and chemical complementarities to a targeted analyte. They mimic the molecular recognition seen naturally in the antibody/antigen complementarity. Because of their specificity, MIPs can be included in sensors as a recognition element coupled to a transducer part that converts the interaction of MIP/analyte into a quantifiable signal. Such sensors have important applications in the biomedical field in diagnosis and drug discovery, and are a necessary complement of tissue engineering for analyzing the functionalities of the engineered tissues. Therefore, in this review, we provide an overview of MIP sensors that have been used for the detection of skeletal- and cardiac-muscle-related analytes. We organized this review by targeted analytes in alphabetical order. Thus, after an introduction to the fabrication of MIPs, we highlight different types of MIP sensors with an emphasis on recent works and show their great diversity, their fabrication, their linear range for a given analyte, their limit of detection (LOD), specificity, and reproducibility. We conclude the review with future developments and perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serge Ostrovidov
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Systems Engineering, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering (IBB), Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Murugan Ramalingam
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science, BK21 NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
- Mechanobiology Dental Medicine Research Center, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
- UCL Eastman-Korea Dental Medicine Innovation Center, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
- School of Basic Medical Science, Institute for Advanced Study, Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China
- Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Atilim University, 06830 Ankara, Turkey
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine, Medical and Life Sciences Faculty, Furtwangen University, 78054 Villingen-Schwennigen, Germany
| | - Hojae Bae
- KU Convergence Science and Technology Institute, Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Kwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Gorka Orive
- NanoBioCel Group, Laboratory of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Research Group, 01009 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Toshinori Fujie
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
- Living System Materialogy (LiSM) Research Group, International Research Frontiers Initiative (IRFI), Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama 226-8501, Japan
| | - Takeshi Hori
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Systems Engineering, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering (IBB), Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Yuji Nashimoto
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Systems Engineering, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering (IBB), Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Xuetao Shi
- National Engineering Research Center for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hirokazu Kaji
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Systems Engineering, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering (IBB), Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
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6
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Sanchez MM, Bagdasarian IA, Darch W, Morgan JT. Organotypic cultures as aging associated disease models. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:9338-9383. [PMID: 36435511 PMCID: PMC9740367 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Aging remains a primary risk factor for a host of diseases, including leading causes of death. Aging and associated diseases are inherently multifactorial, with numerous contributing factors and phenotypes at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organismal scales. Despite the complexity of aging phenomena, models currently used in aging research possess limitations. Frequently used in vivo models often have important physiological differences, age at different rates, or are genetically engineered to match late disease phenotypes rather than early causes. Conversely, routinely used in vitro models lack the complex tissue-scale and systemic cues that are disrupted in aging. To fill in gaps between in vivo and traditional in vitro models, researchers have increasingly been turning to organotypic models, which provide increased physiological relevance with the accessibility and control of in vitro context. While powerful tools, the development of these models is a field of its own, and many aging researchers may be unaware of recent progress in organotypic models, or hesitant to include these models in their own work. In this review, we describe recent progress in tissue engineering applied to organotypic models, highlighting examples explicitly linked to aging and associated disease, as well as examples of models that are relevant to aging. We specifically highlight progress made in skin, gut, and skeletal muscle, and describe how recently demonstrated models have been used for aging studies or similar phenotypes. Throughout, this review emphasizes the accessibility of these models and aims to provide a resource for researchers seeking to leverage these powerful tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina M. Sanchez
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | | | - William Darch
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Joshua T. Morgan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
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7
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Apa L, Cosentino M, Forconi F, Musarò A, Rizzuto E, Del Prete Z. The Development of an Innovative Embedded Sensor for the Optical Measurement of Ex-Vivo Engineered Muscle Tissue Contractility. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:6878. [PMID: 36146227 PMCID: PMC9502572 DOI: 10.3390/s22186878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Tissue engineering is a multidisciplinary approach focused on the development of innovative bioartificial substitutes for damaged organs and tissues. For skeletal muscle, the measurement of contractile capability represents a crucial aspect for tissue replacement, drug screening and personalized medicine. To date, the measurement of engineered muscle tissues is rather invasive and not continuous. In this context, we proposed an innovative sensor for the continuous monitoring of engineered-muscle-tissue contractility through an embedded technique. The sensor is based on the calibrated deflection of one of the engineered tissue's supporting pins, whose movements are measured using a noninvasive optical method. The sensor was calibrated to return force values through the use of a step linear motor and a micro-force transducer. Experimental results showed that the embedded sensor did not alter the correct maturation of the engineered muscle tissue. Finally, as proof of concept, we demonstrated the ability of the sensor to capture alterations in the force contractility of the engineered muscle tissues subjected to serum deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Apa
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Marianna Cosentino
- DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Forconi
- DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Musarò
- DAHFMO-Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele Rizzuto
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Zaccaria Del Prete
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy
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8
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Carraro E, Rossi L, Maghin E, Canton M, Piccoli M. 3D in vitro Models of Pathological Skeletal Muscle: Which Cells and Scaffolds to Elect? Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:941623. [PMID: 35898644 PMCID: PMC9313593 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.941623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle is a fundamental tissue of the human body with great plasticity and adaptation to diseases and injuries. Recreating this tissue in vitro helps not only to deepen its functionality, but also to simulate pathophysiological processes. In this review we discuss the generation of human skeletal muscle three-dimensional (3D) models obtained through tissue engineering approaches. First, we present an overview of the most severe myopathies and the two key players involved: the variety of cells composing skeletal muscle tissue and the different components of its extracellular matrix. Then, we discuss the peculiar characteristics among diverse in vitro models with a specific focus on cell sources, scaffold composition and formulations, and fabrication techniques. To conclude, we highlight the efficacy of 3D models in mimicking patient-specific myopathies, deepening muscle disease mechanisms or investigating possible therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Carraro
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Lucia Rossi
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
| | - Edoardo Maghin
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
| | - Marcella Canton
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Martina Piccoli
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padova, Italy
- *Correspondence: Martina Piccoli,
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Vesga-Castro C, Aldazabal J, Vallejo-Illarramendi A, Paredes J. Contractile force assessment methods for in vitro skeletal muscle tissues. eLife 2022; 11:e77204. [PMID: 35604384 PMCID: PMC9126583 DOI: 10.7554/elife.77204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last few years, there has been growing interest in measuring the contractile force (CF) of engineered muscle tissues to evaluate their functionality. However, there are still no standards available for selecting the most suitable experimental platform, measuring system, culture protocol, or stimulation patterns. Consequently, the high variability of published data hinders any comparison between different studies. We have identified that cantilever deflection, post deflection, and force transducers are the most commonly used configurations for CF assessment in 2D and 3D models. Additionally, we have discussed the most relevant emerging technologies that would greatly complement CF evaluation with intracellular and localized analysis. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the most significant advances in CF evaluation and its critical parameters. In order to compare contractile performance across experimental platforms, we have used the specific force (sF, kN/m2), CF normalized to the calculated cross-sectional area (CSA). However, this parameter presents a high variability throughout the different studies, which indicates the need to identify additional parameters and complementary analysis suitable for proper comparison. We propose that future contractility studies in skeletal muscle constructs report detailed information about construct size, contractile area, maturity level, sarcomere length, and, ideally, the tetanus-to-twitch ratio. These studies will hopefully shed light on the relative impact of these variables on muscle force performance of engineered muscle constructs. Prospective advances in muscle tissue engineering, particularly in muscle disease models, will require a joint effort to develop standardized methodologies for assessing CF of engineered muscle tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Vesga-Castro
- University of Navarra, Tecnun School of Engineering, Manuel de LardizábalSan SebastianSpain
- University of Navarra, Biomedical Engineering Center, Campus UniversitarioPamplonaSpain
- Group of Neurosciences, Department of Pediatrics, UPV/EHU, Hospital Donostia - IIS BiodonostiaSan SebastianSpain
| | - Javier Aldazabal
- University of Navarra, Tecnun School of Engineering, Manuel de LardizábalSan SebastianSpain
- University of Navarra, Biomedical Engineering Center, Campus UniversitarioPamplonaSpain
| | - Ainara Vallejo-Illarramendi
- Group of Neurosciences, Department of Pediatrics, UPV/EHU, Hospital Donostia - IIS BiodonostiaSan SebastianSpain
- CIBERNED, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministry of Science, Innovation, and UniversitiesMadridSpain
| | - Jacobo Paredes
- University of Navarra, Tecnun School of Engineering, Manuel de LardizábalSan SebastianSpain
- University of Navarra, Biomedical Engineering Center, Campus UniversitarioPamplonaSpain
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10
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Wang J, Broer T, Chavez T, Zhou CJ, Tran S, Xiang Y, Khodabukus A, Diao Y, Bursac N. Myoblast deactivation within engineered human skeletal muscle creates a transcriptionally heterogeneous population of quiescent satellite-like cells. Biomaterials 2022; 284:121508. [PMID: 35421801 PMCID: PMC9289780 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Satellite cells (SCs), the adult Pax7-expressing stem cells of skeletal muscle, are essential for muscle repair. However, in vitro investigations of SC function are challenging due to isolation-induced SC activation, loss of native quiescent state, and differentiation to myoblasts. In the present study, we optimized methods to deactivate in vitro expanded human myoblasts within a 3D culture environment of engineered human skeletal muscle tissues ("myobundles"). Immunostaining and gene expression analyses revealed that a fraction of myoblasts within myobundles adopted a quiescent phenotype (3D-SCs) characterized by increased Pax7 expression, cell cycle exit, and activation of Notch signaling. Similar to native SCs, 3D-SC quiescence is regulated by Notch and Wnt signaling while loss of quiescence and reactivation of 3D-SCs can be induced by growth factors including bFGF. Myobundle injury with a bee toxin, melittin, induces robust myofiber fragmentation, functional decline, and 3D-SC proliferation. By applying single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), we discover the existence of two 3D-SC subpopulations (quiescent and activated), identify deactivation-associated gene signature using trajectory inference between 2D myoblasts and 3D-SCs, and characterize the transcriptomic changes within reactivated 3D-SCs in response to melittin-induced injury. These results demonstrate the ability of an in vitro engineered 3D human skeletal muscle environment to support the formation of a quiescent and heterogeneous SC population recapitulating several aspects of the native SC phenotype, and provide a platform for future studies of human muscle regeneration and disease-associated SC dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Torie Broer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Taylor Chavez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Chris J Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sabrina Tran
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yu Xiang
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Yarui Diao
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Nenad Bursac
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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11
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Jiang Y, Torun T, Maffioletti SM, Serio A, Tedesco FS. Bioengineering human skeletal muscle models: Recent advances, current challenges and future perspectives. Exp Cell Res 2022; 416:113133. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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12
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Vann CG, Zhang X, Khodabukus A, Orenduff MC, Chen YH, Corcoran DL, Truskey GA, Bursac N, Kraus VB. Differential microRNA profiles of intramuscular and secreted extracellular vesicles in human tissue-engineered muscle. Front Physiol 2022; 13:937899. [PMID: 36091396 PMCID: PMC9452896 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.937899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Exercise affects the expression of microRNAs (miR/s) and muscle-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs). To evaluate sarcoplasmic and secreted miR expression in human skeletal muscle in response to exercise-mimetic contractile activity, we utilized a three-dimensional tissue-engineered model of human skeletal muscle ("myobundles"). Myobundles were subjected to three culture conditions: no electrical stimulation (CTL), chronic low frequency stimulation (CLFS), or intermittent high frequency stimulation (IHFS) for 7 days. RNA was isolated from myobundles and from extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by myobundles into culture media; miR abundance was analyzed by miRNA-sequencing. We used edgeR and a within-sample design to evaluate differential miR expression and Pearson correlation to evaluate correlations between myobundle and EV populations within treatments with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Numerous miRs were differentially expressed between myobundles and EVs; 116 miRs were differentially expressed within CTL, 3 within CLFS, and 2 within IHFS. Additionally, 25 miRs were significantly correlated (18 in CTL, 5 in CLFS, 2 in IHFS) between myobundles and EVs. Electrical stimulation resulted in differential expression of 8 miRs in myobundles and only 1 miR in EVs. Several KEGG pathways, known to play a role in regulation of skeletal muscle, were enriched, with differentially overrepresented miRs between myobundle and EV populations identified using miEAA. Together, these results demonstrate that in vitro exercise-mimetic contractile activity of human engineered muscle affects both their expression of miRs and number of secreted EVs. These results also identify novel miRs of interest for future studies of the role of exercise in organ-organ interactions in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher G Vann
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Xin Zhang
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Alastair Khodabukus
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Melissa C Orenduff
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Yu-Hsiu Chen
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - David L Corcoran
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - George A Truskey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Nenad Bursac
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Virginia B Kraus
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.,Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
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13
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Ebrahimi M, Lad H, Fusto A, Tiper Y, Datye A, Nguyen CT, Jacques E, Moyle LA, Nguyen T, Musgrave B, Chávez-Madero C, Bigot A, Chen C, Turner S, Stewart BA, Pegoraro E, Vitiello L, Gilbert PM. De novo revertant fiber formation and therapy testing in a 3D culture model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy skeletal muscle. Acta Biomater 2021; 132:227-244. [PMID: 34048976 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The biological basis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) pathology is only partially characterized and there are still few disease-modifying therapies available, therein underlying the value of strategies to model and study DMD. Dystrophin, the causative gene of DMD, is responsible for linking the cytoskeleton of muscle fibers to the extracellular matrix beyond the sarcolemma. We posited that disease-associated phenotypes not yet captured by two-dimensional culture methods would arise by generating multinucleated muscle cells within a three-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrix environment. Herein we report methods to produce 3D human skeletal muscle microtissues (hMMTs) using clonal, immortalized myoblast lines established from healthy and DMD donors. We also established protocols to evaluate immortalized hMMT self-organization and myotube maturation, as well as calcium handling, force generation, membrane stability (i.e., creatine kinase activity and Evans blue dye permeability) and contractile apparatus organization following electrical-stimulation. In examining hMMTs generated with a cell line wherein the dystrophin gene possessed a duplication of exon 2, we observed rare dystrophin-positive myotubes, which were not seen in 2D cultures. Further, we show that treating DMD hMMTs with a β1-integrin activating antibody, improves contractile apparatus maturation and stability. Hence, immortalized myoblast-derived DMD hMMTs offer a pre-clinical system with which to investigate the potential of duplicated exon skipping strategies and those that protect muscle cells from contraction-induced injury. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive muscle-wasting disorder that is caused by mutation of the dystrophin gene. The biological basis of DMD pathology is only partially characterized and there is no cure for this fatal disease. Here we report a method to produce 3D human skeletal muscle microtissues (hMMTs) using immortalized human DMD and healthy myoblasts. Morphological and functional assessment revealed DMD-associated pathophysiology including impaired calcium handling and de novo formation of dystrophin-positive revertant muscle cells in immortalized DMD hMMTs harbouring an exon 2 duplication, a feature of many DMD patients that has not been recapitulated in culture prior to this report. We further demonstrate that this "DMD in a dish" system can be used as a pre-clinical assay to test a putative DMD therapeutic and study the mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Ebrahimi
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3E1, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3G9, Canada
| | - Heta Lad
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3E1, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3G9, Canada
| | - Aurora Fusto
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, Padua, 35128, Italy
| | - Yekaterina Tiper
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3E1, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3G9, Canada
| | - Asiman Datye
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3E1, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3G9, Canada
| | - Christine T Nguyen
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3G5, Canada; Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L1C6, Canada
| | - Erik Jacques
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3E1, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3G9, Canada
| | - Louise A Moyle
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3E1, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3G9, Canada
| | - Thy Nguyen
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3E1, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3G9, Canada
| | - Brennen Musgrave
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3E1, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3G9, Canada
| | - Carolina Chávez-Madero
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3E1, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3G9, Canada
| | - Anne Bigot
- Sorbonne Universite, INSERM, Association Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Paris UMRS974, France
| | - Chun Chen
- Pliant Therapeutics, Inc, South San Francisco, California 94080, USA
| | - Scott Turner
- Pliant Therapeutics, Inc, South San Francisco, California 94080, USA
| | - Bryan A Stewart
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3G5, Canada; Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON L5L1C6, Canada
| | - Elena Pegoraro
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, Padua, 35128, Italy
| | - Libero Vitiello
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua 35131, Italy; Interuniversity Institute of Myology (IIM), Italy
| | - Penney M Gilbert
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3E1, Canada; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3G9, Canada; Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S3G5, Canada.
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14
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Khodabukus A. Tissue-Engineered Skeletal Muscle Models to Study Muscle Function, Plasticity, and Disease. Front Physiol 2021; 12:619710. [PMID: 33716768 PMCID: PMC7952620 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.619710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle possesses remarkable plasticity that permits functional adaptations to a wide range of signals such as motor input, exercise, and disease. Small animal models have been pivotal in elucidating the molecular mechanisms regulating skeletal muscle adaptation and plasticity. However, these small animal models fail to accurately model human muscle disease resulting in poor clinical success of therapies. Here, we review the potential of in vitro three-dimensional tissue-engineered skeletal muscle models to study muscle function, plasticity, and disease. First, we discuss the generation and function of in vitro skeletal muscle models. We then discuss the genetic, neural, and hormonal factors regulating skeletal muscle fiber-type in vivo and the ability of current in vitro models to study muscle fiber-type regulation. We also evaluate the potential of these systems to be utilized in a patient-specific manner to accurately model and gain novel insights into diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and volumetric muscle loss. We conclude with a discussion on future developments required for tissue-engineered skeletal muscle models to become more mature, biomimetic, and widely utilized for studying muscle physiology, disease, and clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair Khodabukus
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
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Weng LM, Su X, Wang XQ. Pain Symptoms in Patients with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): A Literature Review. J Pain Res 2021; 14:147-159. [PMID: 33531833 PMCID: PMC7847371 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s269206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose On 11 March, 2020, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak was declared as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. It brought substantial physical and psychological burden on individuals and financial loss across countries. Patients with COVID-19 may exhibit various symptoms, such as fever, cough, dyspnea, muscle pain, sore throat, headache, chest pain, and abdominal pain, at 2–14 days after exposure to the novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS]-CoV-2). Pain symptoms present important challenge to clinicians’ diagnosis when treating COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms. Considering the increasing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, the pain symptoms should be systematically summarized. Results The virus can invade different tissues of the body and cause different pain manifestations. SARS-CoV-2 primarily invades the respiratory system, and patients develop sore throat, fever, cough, and other pneumonia-associated symptoms. Moreover, it infects the nervous system (eg, headache, dizziness, and confusion), digestive system (eg, abdominal pain, diarrhea), and cardiovascular system (eg, chest pain, palmus, and cardiac injury). The incidence rate is 1.7–33.9% for headache, 0.7–47.1% for sore throat, 1.5–61.0% for myalgia/arthralgia, 1.6–17.7% for chest pain, and 1.9–14.5% for abdominal pain. In comparison with chest and abdominal pain, COVID-19 patients are more likely to develop headache, sore throat, and myalgia/arthralgia. Conclusion Different pain reflects the damage of different body systems. Therefore, the summary of pain symptoms for COVID-19 patients can help doctors improve the accuracy and efficiency of diagnosis when treating COVID-19 patients with atypical or mild symptoms and adopt more targeted treatment methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Man Weng
- Department of Sport Rehabilitation, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuan Su
- Department of Sport Rehabilitation, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue-Qiang Wang
- Department of Sport Rehabilitation, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.,Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Shangti Orthopaedic Hospital, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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