Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Nicolas Rose, Berenice Estrada Chavez, Surabhi Sonam, Thao Nguyen, Gianluca Grenci, Anne Bigot, Antoine Muchir, Benoit Ladoux, Bruno Cadot, Fabien Le Grand, Lea Trichet
Summary: We have developed a miniaturized 3D myotube culture chip that can monitor contraction at the single cell level. This technology requires significantly fewer starting materials than current systems and is crucial for evaluating the outcomes of therapeutic procedures for neuromuscular disorders.
Review
Biology
Camila Vesga-Castro, Javier Aldazabal, Ainara Vallejo-Illarramendi, Jacobo Paredes
Summary: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in evaluating the contractile force (CF) of engineered muscle tissues, but there are currently no standards available for selecting the most suitable experimental platform, measuring system, culture protocol, or stimulation patterns. Cantilever deflection, post deflection, and force transducers are commonly used configurations for CF assessment, and future studies are recommended to report detailed information on construct size, contractile area, maturity level, sarcomere length, and the tetanus-to-twitch ratio.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sadegh Davoudi, Bin Xu, Erik Jacques, Jose L. Cadavid, Matthew McFee, Chih-Ying Chin, Amir Meysami, Majid Ebrahimi, Mohsen A. Bakooshli, Kayee Tung, Henry Ahn, Howard J. Ginsberg, Alison P. McGuigan, Penney M. Gilbert
Summary: Stem cell-mediated endogenous repair is often evaluated through animal studies, but this study describes an in vitro assay that mimics important early stages of in vivo skeletal muscle repair. By integrating a semi-automated image analysis pipeline, high-content data analysis of muscle fiber content and morphology is enabled. The study found that the spatiotemporal dynamics of in vitro repair closely matched those observed in vivo only when both stem cells and injury were present. The engineered tissue's imaging geometry allowed for exploration of cellular mechanisms driving the muscle stem cell response to the regenerative template.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Juan M. Fernandez-Costa, Maria A. Ortega, Julia Rodriguez-Comas, Gerardo Lopez-Munoz, Jose Yeste, Lluis Mangas-Florencio, Miriam Fernandez-Gonzalez, Eduard Martin-Lasierra, Ainoa Tejedera-Villafranca, Javier Ramon-Azcon
Summary: Organ-on-a-chip devices offer innovative approaches for disease modeling and drug discovery by providing biomimetic models of tissues and organs combined with biosensors. In this study, a biomimetic multi-OOC integrated platform was created to study the impact of exercise on insulin secretion, using optical biosensing technology to monitor relevant indicators in real-time.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Zoico Elena, Saatchi Tanaz, Nori Nicole, Mazzali Gloria, Rizzatti Vanni, Pizzi Eleonora, Fantin Francesco, Giani Anna, Urbani Silvia, Zamboni Mauro
Summary: Recently, studies have shown that dysfunction of white adipose tissue (WAT) has a negative impact on skeletal muscle function and quality. However, little is known about the effects of senescent adipocytes on muscle cells. In this in vitro experiment, we found that conditioned medium obtained from cultures of aged or stressed adipocytes can significantly decrease the diameter and fusion index of myotubes, reduce gene expression of myogenic differentiation markers, increase genes involved in muscle atrophy, and inhibit protein synthesis in muscle cells. These preliminary results suggest that aged adipocytes may negatively affect the trophism, function, and regenerative capacity of myocytes through paracrine signaling.
EXPERIMENTAL GERONTOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Eugenia Carraro, Lucia Rossi, Edoardo Maghin, Marcella Canton, Martina Piccoli
Summary: This review discusses the importance of generating human skeletal muscle three-dimensional models through tissue engineering approaches, including the study of the most severe myopathies and the comparison of different in vitro models, as well as their effectiveness in simulating disease mechanisms and investigating therapeutic effects.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mohamadmahdi Samandari, Jacob Quint, Alejandra Rodriguez-delaRosa, Indranil Sinha, Olivier Pourquie, Ali Tamayol
Summary: Skeletal muscle injuries can lead to mobility limitations and loss of independence, with current treatments showing variable effectiveness. Skeletal muscle tissue engineering and bioprinting are considered promising solutions for reconstructing complex muscle structures and improving functional recovery.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David E. Lee, Lauren K. McKay, Akshay Bareja, Yongwu Li, Alastair Khodabukus, Nenad Bursac, Gregory A. Taylor, Gurpreet S. Baht, James P. White
Summary: Pathologies associated with sarcopenia include decline in muscular strength, lean mass and regenerative capacity. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of METRNL to improve aged muscle through improving muscle regeneration and countering age-related loss in muscle resilience by triggering apoptosis of fibro/adipogenic progenitor cells.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Juan M. Fernandez-Costa, Ainoa Tejedera-Vilafranca, Xiomara Fernandez-Garibay, Javier Ramon-Azcon
Summary: Muscular dystrophies are debilitating diseases that result in muscle atrophy and weakness, but there are no curative treatments due to the lack of suitable models. Organs-on-chip, particularly muscles-on-chip, have the potential to bridge this gap and serve as advanced models for muscular dystrophies.
DISEASE MODELS & MECHANISMS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Elmira Ahmady, Alexandre Blais, Patrick G. Burgon
Summary: Mlip is a recently discovered protein that interacts directly with chromatin and may function as a transcriptional co-factor. In C2C12 myoblasts, blocking Mlip expression down-regulates myogenic regulatory factors and inhibits myogenic differentiation and myotube formation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kim Sarah Koeck, Sahar Salehi, Martin Humenik, Thomas Scheibel
Summary: This study focuses on achieving good mechanical stability of collagen fibers through self-assembly during wet-spinning without the need for additional crosslinkers. The produced collagen fibers show fibril alignment and a unique D-band pattern, and are processed into hierarchical assemblies using textile-engineering techniques. These assemblies serve as excellent substrates for muscle microtissue formation, particularly at the muscle-tendon-junction (MTJ) where myoblasts and fibroblasts are co-cultured to develop an MTJ-model.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Philip Barrett, Tom J. Quick, Vivek Mudera, Darren J. Player
Summary: This study aimed to generate and characterize intrafusal bag and chain myotubes from differentiated C2C12 myoblasts using the addition of Neuregulin 1 protein. The results showed that Nrg-1 treatment increased the number of intrafusal bag myotubes and enhanced the expression of the specific transcription factor Egr3. Additionally, Nrg-1 treatment had a proliferative effect during the serum starvation-initiated differentiation phase. Although there was no clear evidence for specific intrafusal development, Nrg-1 treated myotubes exhibited some characteristics of intrafusal fibres, such as increased satellite cell numbers and smaller myonuclear domains.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Natalie G. Kozan, Mrunmayi Joshi, Sydnee T. Sicherer, Jonathan M. Grasman
Summary: This article reviews the methods and materials used for fabricating porous biomaterial scaffolds for skeletal muscle regeneration. It discusses the current state of skeletal muscle tissue engineering and provides guidelines for scaffold fabrication based on functional requirements.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Shinji Bono, Riku Takahashi, Satoshi Konishi
Summary: Vertical contact control can manipulate the concentration of chemicals in microdroplets and achieve three-dimensional microfluidic systems. Experimental results show that the volume difference of microdroplets, AV, increases proportionally to the fifth power of the size of microdroplets, R, which can be predicted quantitatively with material parameters such as density and surface tension.
PHYSICAL REVIEW APPLIED
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Connor O'Farrell, Konstantinos Stamatopoulos, Mark Simmons, Hannah Batchelor
Summary: The development of orally ingestible medical devices requires the use of models that simulate the gastrointestinal environment on both a macro and micro scale. Various in vitro tools are available for characterizing these devices, each with its own benefits and limitations. The selection of models for evaluation should be based on the functionality and mechanism of the device.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Shruti Krishna Davey, Aereas Aung, Gaurav Agrawal, Han Liang Lim, Mrityunjoy Kar, Shyni Varghese
TISSUE ENGINEERING PART C-METHODS
(2015)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Aereas Aung, Ivneet Singh Bhullar, Jomkuan Theprungsirikul, Shruti Krishna Davey, Han Liang Lim, Yu-Jui Chiu, Xuanyi Ma, Sukriti Dewan, Yu-Hwa Lo, Andrew McCulloch, Shyni Varghese
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Aereas Aung, Jomkuan Theprungsirikul, Han Liang Lim, Shyni Varghese
Article
Biophysics
Aereas Aung, Young N. Seo, Shaoying Lu, Yingxiao Wang, Colin Jamora, Juan C. del Alamo, Shyni Varghese
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2014)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Eduardo J. E. Caro-Diaz, Aereas Aung, Jing Xu, Shyni Varghese, Emmanuel A. Theodorakis
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2014)
Article
Biophysics
Ricardo Serrano, Aereas Aung, Yi-Ting Yeh, Shyni Varghese, Juan C. Lasheras, Juan C. del Alamo
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2019)
Article
Oncology
Aereas Aung, Vardhman Kumar, Jomkuan Theprungsirikul, Shruti K. Davey, Shyni Varghese
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Darrell J. Irvine, Aereas Aung, Murillo Silva
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2020)
Article
Cell Biology
Benjamin J. Read, Lori Won, John C. Kraft, Isaac Sappington, Aereas Aung, Shengwei Wu, Julia Bals, Chengbo Chen, Kelly K. Lee, Daniel Lingwood, Neil P. King, Darrell J. Irvine
Summary: Mannose binding lectin (MBL) in nanoparticle vaccines promotes immune responses by increasing antigen accumulation in lymph nodes and antigen-specific germinal center (GC) responses. The findings provide a framework for optimizing vaccine efficacy.
Article
Cell Biology
Chensu Wang, Ang Cui, Maurice Bukenya, Aereas Aung, Dikshant Pradhan, Charles A. Whittaker, Yash Agarwal, Ayush Thomas, Simon Liang, Parastoo Amlashi, Heikyung Suh, Stefani Spranger, Nir Hacohen, Darrell J. Irvine
Summary: The AIP treatment demonstrated in this study activates NK cells and macrophages, leading to transcriptional reprogramming, rapid cancer cell killing, and normalization of tumor vasculature, facilitating further immune infiltration. This innate cell-activating therapy initiates critical steps towards a self-sustaining cycle of T cell priming driven by ICB.
Article
Immunology
Murillo Silva, Yu Kato, Mariane B. Melo, Ivy Phung, Brian L. Freeman, Zhongming Li, Kangsan Roh, Jan W. Van Wijnbergen, Hannah Watkins, Chiamaka A. Enemuo, Brittany L. Hartwell, Jason Y. H. Chang, Shuhao Xiao, Kristen A. Rodrigues, Kimberly M. Cirelli, Na Li, Sonya Haupt, Aereas Aung, Benjamin Cossette, Wuhbet Abraham, Swati Kataria, Raiza Bastidas, Jinal Bhiman, Caitlyn Linde, Nathaniel I. Bloom, Bettina Groschel, Erik Georgeson, Nicole Phelps, Ayush Thomas, Julia Bals, Diane G. Carnathan, Daniel Lingwood, Dennis R. Burton, Galit Alter, Timothy P. Padera, Angela M. Belcher, William R. Schlef, Guido Silvestri, Ruth M. Ruprecht, Shane Crotty, Darrell J. Irvine
Summary: The research uncovered that saponin/MPLA nanoparticles have greater potency in promoting immune responses and hold promising potential in both mice and nonhuman primates.
SCIENCE IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aereas Aung, Ang Cui, Laura Maiorino, Ava P. Amini, Justin R. Gregory, Maurice Bukenya, Yiming Zhang, Heya Lee, Christopher A. Cottrell, Duncan M. Morgan, Murillo Silva, Heikyung Suh, Jesse D. Kirkpatrick, Parastoo Amlashi, Tanaka Remba, Leah M. Froehle, Shuhao Xiao, Wuhbet Abraham, Josetta Adams, J. Christopher Love, Phillip Huyett, Douglas S. Kwon, Nir Hacohen, William R. Schief, Sangeeta N. Bhatia, Darrell J. Irvine
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Aereas Aung, Shruti K. Davey, Jomkuan Theprungsirikul, Vardhman Kumar, Shyni Varghese
Summary: This study develops a microfluidic platform to investigate the mechanical properties of tumor spheroids and their surrounding matrix simultaneously, revealing the mechanical interdependency between the two entities. For spheroids embedded within soft hydrogels, the Young's modulus of the matrix decreases, while spheroids within stiff hydrogels do not significantly affect the Young's modulus of the surrounding matrix.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Angela Q. Zhang, Alexander Hostetler, Laura E. Chen, Vainavi Mukkamala, Wuhbet Abraham, Lucia T. Padilla, Alexandra N. Wolff, Laura Maiorino, Coralie M. Backlund, Aereas Aung, Mariane Melo, Na Li, Shengwei Wu, Darrell J. Irvine
Summary: T cells with a chimaeric antigen receptor specific for fluorescein isothiocyanate can be directed against solid tumours via the intratumoural administration of a fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated amphiphile that inserts itself in cell membranes. This therapy promotes the proliferation and accumulation of FITC-specific CAR T cells in tumours, leading to tumour regression and immune response against distal untreated tumours. Membrane-inserting ligands for specific CARs offer potential for the development of adoptive cell therapies independent of antigen expression and tissue of origin.
NATURE BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)