Incorporation Of Decellularized Extracellular Matrix In 3D-printed Graphene-based Scaffolds For Treatment Of Volumetric Muscle Loss
Carlos Serna, III, PhD1, Rebecca Keate, BS1, Sophia L. Zhang, BS1, Kristen Cotton, BS2, Alberto De La Isla, BS1, Yasmine Bouricha, BS2, Colin Franz, MD PhD2, Sumanas Jordan, MD PhD1.
1Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA, 2Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, USA.
PURPOSE: Large scale injuries resulting in volumetric muscle loss (VML) reduce peripheral nerve functionality. 3D additive manufacturing processes provide an opportunity to develop patient-specific implants. Graphene has gained popularity in regenerating excitable tissues due to its conductive nature and suitable biocompatibility. The low bioactivity associated with graphene can be overcome using extracellular matrix (ECM) derived from decellularized tissue. For VML, decellularized muscle ECM (dECM) contains muscle-specific proteins and growth factors beneficial for tissue regeneration.
METHODS: Here, we present a 3D composite with mouse-pup dECM fabricated using bioink consisting of graphene and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA). Using an extrusion-based system, graphene structures with and without dECM were printed under ambient conditions in four-layered stacks with strut sizes ranging between 125 - 250 µm in width.
RESULTS: A reduction in electrical conductivity from 286.4 S/m to 74.4 S/m was observed in graphene scaffolds containing 2.5% dECM (gECM). Zeta potential values were -17.9 ± 5.14 mV in graphene scaffolds and -22.7 ± 5.76 mV in gECM scaffolds. SEM images showed no differences in surface topography between the scaffold types. In vitro experiments showed graphene and gECM scaffolds capable of supporting glia and motor neurons. Both scaffold variants were effective in supporting muscle myoblast adhesion, alignment, viability, proliferation, and differentiation. Confocal imaging showed neural network interconnectivity in motor neurons seeded onto graphene scaffolds containing dECM.
CONCLUSION: These findings suggest graphene scaffolds containing dECM are capable of enhancing functional recovery following VML by promoting a neurogenic environment conducive to myoblast differentiation and myofiber maturation.
Back to 2022 Posters