Open AccessA new approach to tissue engineering of vascularized skeletal muscle
Author(s) -
Bach A. D.,
Arkudas A.,
Tjiawi J.,
Polykandriotis E.,
Kneser U.,
Horch R. E.,
Beier J. P.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2006.tb00431.x
Subject(s) - myogenin , myod , skeletal muscle , desmin , fibrin , myocyte , c2c12 , microbiology and biotechnology , matrix (chemical analysis) , myogenic regulatory factors , biology , chemistry , anatomy , immunohistochemistry , immunology , myogenesis , vimentin , chromatography
Tissue Engineering of skeletal muscle tissue still remains a major challenge. Every neo‐tissue construct of clinically relevant dimensions is highly dependent on an intrinsic vascularisation overcoming the limitations of diffusion conditioned survival. Approaches incorporating the arteriovenous‐loop model might bring further advances to the generation of vascularised skeletal muscle tissue. In this study 12 syngeneic rats received transplantation of carboxy‐fluorescine diacetate‐succinimidyl ester (CFDA)‐labelled, expanded primary myoblasts into a previously vascularised fibrin matrix, containing a microsurgically created AV loop. As control cells were injected into fibrin‐matrices without AV‐loops. Intra‐arterial ink injection followed by explantation was performed 2, 4 and 8 weeks after cell implantation. Specimens were evaluated for CFDA, MyoD and DAPI staining, as well as for mRNA expression of muscle specific genes. Results showed enhanced fibrin resorption in dependence of AV loop presence. Transplanted myoblasts could be detected in the AV loop group even after 8 weeks by CFDA‐fluorescence, still showing positive MyoD staining. RT‐PCR revealed gene expression of MEF‐2 and desmin after 4 weeks on the AV loop side, whereas expression analysis of myogenin and MHC embryo was negative. So far myoblast injection in the microsurgical rat AV loop model enhances survival of the cells, keeping their myogenic phenotype, within pre‐vascularised fibrin matrices. Probably due to the lack of potent myogenic stimuli and additionally the rapid resorption of the fibrin matrix, no formation of skeletal muscle‐like tissue could be observed. Thus further studies focussing on long term stability of the matrix and the incorporation of neural stimuli will be necessary for generation of vascularised skeletal muscle tissue.