Use of flow, electrical, and mechanical stimulation to promote engineering of striated muscles.

TitleUse of flow, electrical, and mechanical stimulation to promote engineering of striated muscles.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2014
AuthorsS Rangarajan, L Madden, and N Bursac
JournalAnnals of biomedical engineering
Volume42
Issue7
Start Page1391
Pagination1391 - 1405
Date Published07/2014
Abstract

The field of tissue engineering involves design of high-fidelity tissue substitutes for predictive experimental assays in vitro and cell-based regenerative therapies in vivo. Design of striated muscle tissues, such as cardiac and skeletal muscle, has been particularly challenging due to a high metabolic demand and complex cellular organization and electromechanical function of the native tissues. Successful engineering of highly functional striated muscles may thus require creation of biomimetic culture conditions involving medium perfusion, electrical and mechanical stimulation. When optimized, these external cues are expected to synergistically and dynamically activate important intracellular signaling pathways leading to accelerated muscle growth and development. This review will discuss the use of different types of tissue culture bioreactors aimed at providing conditions for enhanced structural and functional maturation of engineered striated muscles.

DOI10.1007/s10439-013-0966-4
Short TitleAnnals of biomedical engineering