We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
INTEGRA BIOSCIENCES AG

Download Mobile App




Micromolded Gelatin Scaffolds for Extended In Vitro Culture of Muscle Tissue

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 13 Jul 2016
Print article
Image: Skeletal myotubes grown for three weeks on gelatin hydrogel (Photo courtesy of the McCain Laboratory, University of Southern California).
Image: Skeletal myotubes grown for three weeks on gelatin hydrogel (Photo courtesy of the McCain Laboratory, University of Southern California).
A novel in vitro method for growing muscle tissue for an extended period of time depends on minute scaffolds constructed from gelatin.

Gelatin is an irreversibly hydrolyzed form of collagen, wherein the hydrolysis results in the reduction of protein fibrils into smaller peptides, which have broad molecular weight ranges.

Culturing skeletal muscle in vitro has been problematic due to myotube delamination from synthetic culture substrates approximately one week after initiating differentiation from myoblasts. However, in the current study, investigators at the University of Southern California (Los Angeles) successfully maintained aligned skeletal myotubes differentiated from C2C12 mouse skeletal myoblasts for three weeks.

To accomplish this advance in culture technology, the investigators utilized micromolded gelatin hydrogels as culture substrates. The hydrogels were thoroughly characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM).

The investigators reported in the June 28, 2016, online edition of the journal Scientific Reports that compared to polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microcontructs printed with fibronectin (FN), cell adhesion on gelatin hydrogel constructs was significantly higher one week and three weeks after initiating differentiation. Delamination from FN-microprinted PDMS prevented detection of myotubes.

Compared to a softer blend of PDMS microprinted with FN, myogenic index, myotube width, and myotube length on micromolded gelatin hydrogels was similar one week after initiating differentiation. However, three weeks after initiating differentiation, these parameters were significantly higher on micromolded gelatin hydrogels compared to FN-microprinted soft PDMS constructs.

"Disease and disorders involving skeletal muscle - ranging from severe muscular dystrophies to the gradual decrease in muscle mass with aging - dramatically reduce the quality of life for millions of people," said senior author Dr. Megan L. McCain, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Southern California. "By creating an inexpensive and accessible platform for studying skeletal muscle in the laboratory, we hope to enable research that will usher in new treatments for these patients."

Related Links:
University of Southern California


Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
HLX
Complement 3 (C3) Test
GPP-100 C3 Kit
New
Gold Member
Fully Automated Cell Density/Viability Analyzer
BioProfile FAST CDV

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: MOF materials efficiently enrich cfDNA and cfRNA in blood through simple operational process (Photo courtesy of Science China Press)

Blood Circulating Nucleic Acid Enrichment Technique Enables Non-Invasive Liver Cancer Diagnosis

The ability to diagnose diseases early can significantly enhance the effectiveness of clinical treatments and improve survival rates. One promising approach for non-invasive early diagnosis is the use... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The OvaCis Rapid Test discriminates benign from malignant epithelial ovarian cysts (Photo courtesy of INEX)

Intra-Operative POC Device Distinguishes Between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Cysts within 15 Minutes

Ovarian cysts represent a significant health issue for women globally, with up to 10% experiencing this condition at some point in their lives. These cysts form when fluid collects within a thin membrane... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.