2D Muscle Models
Tunable Substrates to Study Muscle Contraction Dynamics
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Alignment, organization and shape standardization
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Alignment, organization and shape standardization
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Isolation of different cell types to reconstitute the in vivo organization
SKELETAL MUSCLE CELLS ASSAY
Alignment, organization and shape standardization
4Dcell technology
SmartPattern Technology
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Read-outs
Alignment and organization of skeletal muscle cells
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Standard culture limitation
In vivo, cells are highly organized to form structures, tissues, and organs – and that structure helps determine function. Conventional 2D cell culture conditions – in which cells are given a boundless surface on which to grow in any orientation – don’t reflect the cell's natural microenvironment.
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Skeletal muscle cells assay
When cultured in a substrate with line adhesive cues, skeletal muscle cells get organized and acquire an elongated shape. Using 4Dcell assay, skeletal myoblasts are more easily differentiated.
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Example
Micropatterned culture with myoblasts [1]
C2C12 cells are seeded on micropatterned lines to induce differentiation
Control
Line
Immunofluorescence of cells [1]
Nuclei in blue and Myosine Heavy Chain (MHC) in green in C2C12 cells cultured on micropatterned lines. Organization and alignment of cells are required to induce cell contractility. By improving the cell alignment, cell differentiation leading to cell contractility will occur rapidly.
SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS ASSAY
Alignment, organization and shape standardization
4Dcell technology
SmartPattern Technology​
Read-outs
Alignment and organization of smooth muscle cells
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Standard culture limitation
In vivo, cells are highly organized to form structures, tissues, and organs – and that structure helps determine function. For example, smooth muscle cell alignment around the small intestine yields a tissue capable of exerting substantial force. Conventional 2D cell culture conditions – in which cells are given a boundless surface on which to grow in any orientation – don’t reflect the cell’s natural microenvironment.
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Smooth muscle cells assay
When cultured in a substrate with line adhesive cues, smooth muscle cells get organized and acquire an elongated shape.
4Dcell partnered up with Cell Systems to test the smooth muscle cells assay. Cell Systems is an innovative company that provides cells and strives to give the most biological and physiologically-relevant conditions for research. They have antibody-free primary cells which are ideal tools for optimizing your experiments. Not only is it hard to find a more biologically-relevant cell type, but their deep inventory guarantees access to the same cell population for the entirety of your research program. This means more consistency and increased reproducibility.
Example
ACBRI 716 Primary Human Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells, from Cell Systems cultured on 4Dcell micropatterned slides (Panels A and B) versus standard tissue culture dish (Panel C). Each surface was coated with Attachment FactorTM extracellular matrix and all cultures were maintained in Complete Classic Medium with serum and CultureBoostTM.
Phase contrast images captured 2hr after plating. Magnification: Panel A, 20X; Panels B and C, 10X.
NEUROMUSCLUAR JUNCTION ASSAY
Isolation of different cell types to reconstitute the in vivo organization
4Dcell technology
SmartChannel Dishes​
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Read-outs
Synapse formation, separation of motor neuron and muscle cells environments, understanding cellular signaling and pathogenic mechanisms in neuromuscular degenerative disorders, investigation of treatments in malfunctioning neuromuscular junctions (NMJs).
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Standard culture limitation
When grown in traditional co-culture with myotubes, motor neurons form rudimentary NMJs.
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Neuromuscular Junction assay
This assay mimics spatial organization between motor neurons (central nervous system/spinal cord) and muscle cells (peripheral nervous system).
As motor neurons and muscle cells face very different in vivo microenvironments, culturing neurons and myoblasts in separated compartments (with neuronal or muscle cells) using 4Dcell microchannels, mimics physiological situations where only axon passes between them [1] [2].
Example
Compartmented co-cultures of glial and muscle cells added with motor neurons on microfluidic chambers [1]
