Biobased Elastomer Nanofibers for Guiding Skeletal Muscle Regeneration

Abstract

Extended Abstract Skeletal muscle is the most abundant tissue in the human body. It is of high clinical importance because of the crucial role it plays in respiration, locomotion, and behaviour. Skeletal muscle is a highly organised tissue composed of aligned muscle fiber bundles, muscle connective tissue, blood vessels and other extracellular structures. Innervation by excitatory motor neurons enables muscle contractions, while support from other tissues such as the tendons, provide anchorage to contractile myofibers. Skeletal muscle can alter its’ structural and functional properties in response to a range of environmental signals, including motor input, exercise, and disease. Genetic, metabolic, and age-related disease can affect its’ regenerative potential, and can lead to debilitating muscle weakness and dysfunction. To fully understand these mechanisms, physiologically and functionally relevant tissue engineered in vitro models are required [1] . Animal models are both cost- and time-intensive, whilst 2D cell culture assays fail to capture the 3D arrangement of cells and surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) [2]. This project combines nano-engineered elastomer nanofiber sheets with human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived myofibers in the establishment of an in vitro model of skeletal muscle function. an co-polymer