Vascularized neuromuscular constructs on PCL-collagen I-PEO-nanoscaffolds

• Applicant: Dr. Aijia Cai
• Subject Area: Orthopaedics, Traumatology, Reconstructive Surgery
• Term: from 2019 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 428098717

Volumetric muscle loss is critical since it exceeds the natural regeneration capacity of skeletal muscle tissue.Tissue engineering of skeletal muscle could be a treatment option without having to sacrifice other functional muscles. For this purpose, suitable cells as well as an adequate matrix, representing the hierarchical and complex 3D structure of skeletal muscle, are needed. Furthermore, volumetric 3D tissue constructs necessitate adequate vascularization. For the generation of functional muscle, innervation of the neotissue is also necessary.Aim of this study is the generation of skeletal muscle tissue by co-cultivating primary myoblasts, adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSC), and schwann cells on aligned PCL-collagen I-nanofibers. Cells will be myogenically differentiated and the 3D constructs will be implanted in vivo into an arteriovenous (AV-) loop model with integration of a motoric nerve, the so-called EPI-loop model, to enable neurotisation. By these means, we aim to create vascularized and functional skeletal muscle tissue.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr. Andreas Arkudas