Matrix scaffolding for stem cell guidance toward skeletal muscle tissue engineering.

Claudia Fuoco,Lucia Lisa Petrilli,Stefano Cannata,Cesare Gargioli

doi:10.1186/s13018-016-0421-y

Abstract

Extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of many types of fibrous structural proteins and glycosaminoglycans. This important cell component not only provides a support for cells but is also actively involved in cell-cell interaction, proliferation, migration, and differentiation, representing, therefore, no longer only a mere static structural scaffold for cells but rather a dynamic and versatile compartment. This aspect leads to the need for investigating new bio-inspired scaffolds or biomaterials, able to mimic ECM in tissue engineering. This new field of research finds particular employment in skeletal muscle tissue regeneration, due to the inability of this complex tissue to recover volumetric muscle loss (VML), after severe injury. Usually, this is the result of traumatic incidents, tumor ablations, or pathological states that lead to the destruction of a large amount of tissue, including connective tissue and basement membrane. Therefore, skeletal muscle tissue engineering represents a valid alternative to overcome this problem.Here, we described a series of natural and synthetic biomaterials employed as ECM mimics for their ability to recreate the correct muscle stem cell niche, by promoting myogenic stem cell differentiation and so, positively affecting muscle repair.

Highlights

The human body possesses the ability to recover any minor damage while, after an acute injury or an extensive defect caused by disease, congenital malformations, or surgical removal, it is much more arduous or even impossible for the body to heal on its own
We will describe the importance of the Extracellular matrix (ECM) in tissue engineering focusing on different natural or synthetic biomaterials that can be used in skeletal muscle engineering to generate 3D artificial tissue structures
A more innovative and promising strategy for skeletal muscle tissue engineering is the in situ approach that is based on the employment of biomaterial as guidance for endogenous regeneration of injured tissue [30]. These three strategies, differing for benefits and limits, are connected by the necessity to identify good new bio-inspired scaffolds that act as ECM, being able to respond to specific requests such as 3D support, mechanical and physicochemical features supporting myogenic cell differentiation, protecting them from damages induced by immune responses and to stimulate vascularization and innervation

Summary

Introduction

The human body possesses the ability to recover any minor damage while, after an acute injury or an extensive defect caused by disease, congenital malformations, or surgical removal, it is much more arduous or even impossible for the body to heal on its own. This new interdisciplinary scientific approach, that fuses engineering principles with biological ones, looks at reproducing neoorganogenesis in order to generate functional ex-vivo living tissue, combining stem cells and even growth factors with appropriate natural and/or synthetic biomaterials mimicking native ECMs [21].

Results

Conclusion