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Exp Cell Res
Published

Bioengineering human skeletal muscle models: Recent advances, current challenges and future perspectives.

Authors

Yunsong Jiang, Tugce Torun, Sara M Maffioletti, Andrea Serio, Francesco Saverio Tedesco

Abstract

Engineering models of human skeletal muscle tissue provides unique translational opportunities to investigate and develop therapeutic strategies for acute muscle injuries, and to establish personalised and precision medicine platforms for in vitro studies of severe neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders. Several myogenic and non-myogenic cell types can be isolated, generated, amplified and combined with scaffolds and biomaterials to achieve this aim. Novel bio-fabrication strategies, which include exogenous stimuli to enhance tissue maturation, promise to achieve an ever-increasing degree of tissue functionalisation both in vivo and in vitro. Here we review recent advances, current challenges and future perspectives to build human skeletal muscle tissue "in a dish", focusing on the cellular constituents and on applications for in vitro disease modelling. We also briefly discuss the impact that emerging technologies such as 3D bioprinting, organ-on-chip and organoids might have to circumvent technical hurdles in future studies.

PMID:35427601 | DOI:S0014-4827(22)00126-4

UK DRI Authors

Andrea Serio

Dr Andrea Serio

Group Leader

Combining bioengineering, imaging, and stem cell modelling to better understand motor neuron disease and dementia

Dr Andrea Serio