BioCentury
ARTICLE | Distillery Techniques

Techniques: In vitro system to preserve muscle stem cell quiescence pre-transplant and regenerative potency post-transplant

June 23, 2016 7:00 AM UTC

An artificial in vitro niche could help preserve muscle stem cell quiescence before transplant to enhance regenerative potency after transplant. The niche consisted of engineered artificial muscle fibers composed of collagen type I (COL1), integrin α4β1 (CD49D/CD29) and laminin plus a quiescence-promoting culture media containing the hormones somatostatin and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), the clinical compounds Elcitonin elcatonin and glesatinib, and four tool compounds: a pan-cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor; an activator of adenylyl cyclases; a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK; MAPK14) inhibitor; and an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2; KDR/Flk-1), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In a mouse model of muscle injury, transplant of muscle stem cells cultured in the artificial niche engrafted and expanded more extensively than transplants of stem cells cultured in standard growth media without muscle fibers. In mice receiving transplants and subjected to a second injury, transplants of cells cultured in the artificial niche also expanded more extensively. Next steps include scaling up the artificial niche culture system.

Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp. markets Elcitonin, an eel calcitonin derivative, for pain associated with osteoporosis...