Page 314 - IJB-9-3

International Journal of Bioprinting Bioprinted stem cell niche regenerates muscles

Figure 4. In vitro migration assay revealed that MPCs from DLL1-DermaMatrix constructs developed increased migration capacity. (A) DLL1 (mouse):
4
Fc (human) (rec) was bioprinted onto biodegradable DermaMatrix construct (4 × 4 × 1 mm in dimensions). 2 × 10 GFP-labeled WT MPCs were
seeded into both the DLL1-bioprinted DermaMatrix and control DermaMatrix constructs (IgG Fc) and cultured in medium. Three days after cell seeding,
DermaMatrix constructs were placed in the Matrigel-coated upper chamber of an electrode-impedance-based cell migration/invasion assay system
(xCELLigence). (B) The result of cell migration/invasion assay showing the increased migration capacity of MPCs from DLL1-DermaMatrix constructs.

There were more GFP-positive cells (yellow arrow head) and fibrogenesis in the diseased muscle have been
in the DLL1 group, indicating an improved proliferation of recently accomplished using immunosuppressive therapy
the implanted stem cells; moreover, there were also more or anti-fibrotic agents [30,44-46] , few studies have focused
dystrophin-positive myofibers (white arrows), indicating on maintaining the stemness and potent self-renewal
an improvement in muscle regeneration. capacity of muscle stem cells after cell transplantation.
In our previous studies using the preplate technique, we
4. Discussion were able to isolate a population of MPCs, which have
great promise for cell-based therapeutic strategies in
In certain situations, such as the later stages of muscle regenerative medicine, especially with regard to skeletal
diseases when muscle stem cells have been depleted, ex vivo muscle regeneration [47,48] . Notch is a crucial molecular
expansion and transplantation of muscle stem cells could regulator of stem cell activity in skeletal muscle and its
be beneficial for patients with these conditions. Although activation during ex vivo expansion has been shown to
significant improvements in the reduction of apoptosis maintain donor muscle cell engraftment . Notch activity
[49]

Volume 9 Issue 3 (2023) 306 https://doi.org/10.18063/ijb.711