Bioengineering a miniaturized in vitro 3D myotube contraction monitoring chip to model muscular dystrophies. (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rose, Nicolas; Estrada Chavez, Berenice; Sonam, Surabhi; Nguyen, Thao; Grenci, Gianluca; Bigot, Anne; Muchir, Antoine; Ladoux, Benoît; Cadot, Bruno; Le Grand, Fabien; Trichet, Léa
• Is Part Of: Biomaterials. Volume 293(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: Skeletal muscle microtissues -- Microfabrication -- Bioengineering -- Tissue on-chip -- Muscular dystrophy -- Disease modeling; Biomedical materials -- Periodicals; Biocompatible Materials -- Periodicals; Biomatériaux -- Périodiques; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121935
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0142-9612

Abstract

Abstract: Quantification of skeletal muscle functional contraction is essential to assess the outcomes of therapeutic procedures for neuromuscular disorders. Muscle three-dimensional "Organ-on-chip" models usually require a substantial amount of biological material, which rarely can be obtained from patient biopsies. Here, we developed a miniaturized 3D myotube culture chip with contraction monitoring capacity at the single cell level. Optimized micropatterned substrate design enabled to obtain high culture yields in tightly controlled microenvironments, with myotubes derived from primary human myoblasts displaying spontaneous contractions. Analysis of nuclear morphology confirmed similar myonuclei structure between obtained myotubes and in vivo myofibers, as compared to 2D monolayers. LMNA -related Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (L-CMD) was modeled with successful development of diseased 3D myotubes displaying reduced contraction. The miniaturized myotube technology can thus be used to study contraction characteristics and evaluate how diseases affect muscle organization and force generation. Importantly, it requires significantly fewer starting materials than current systems, which should substantially improve drug screening capability. Highlights: 3D myotube culture chip with contraction monitoring capacity at the single cell level. 10 to 1000 fewer cells per construct in comparison to reported artificial muscles. Spontaneous contractions of single-myotube microtissues were characterized. Recapitulation of LMNA-related Congenital Muscular Dystrophy pathological phenotype. Prospects for use in disease modeling and drug screening for personalized medicine.