title: The modulation of myogenic cells differentiation using a semiconductor-muscle junction.
abstract: The present study is aimed to design a prototype of hybrid silicon-muscle cell junction, analog to an artificial neuromuscular junction prototype and relevant to the development of advanced neuro-prostheses and bionic systems. The device achieves focal Electric Capacitive Stimulation (ECS) by coupling of single cells and semiconductors, without electrochemical reaction with the substrate. A voltage change applied to a stimulation spot beneath an electrogenic cell leads to a capacitive current (charge accumulation) that opens voltage-gated ion channels in the membrane and generates an action potential. The myo-electronic junction was employed to chronically stimulate muscle cells via ECS and to induce cytosolic calcium transients in myotubes, fibers isolated from mouse FDB (fast [Ca(2+)](i) transients) and surprisingly also in undifferentiated myoblasts (slow [Ca(2+)](i) waves). The hybrid junction elicited, via chronic ECS, a differential reprogramming of single muscle cells by inducing early muscle contraction maturation and plasticity effects, such as NFAT-C3 nuclear translocation. In addition, in the presence of agrin, chronic ECS induced a modulation of AchR clustering which simulates in vitro synaptogenesis. This methodology can coordinate the myogenic differentiation, thus offering direct but non-invasive single cell/wiring, providing a platform for regenerative medicine strategies.
authors.affiliation: Muscle Biophysics Lab, Dept. of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Padova, via Marzolo, 3, 35131, Padova, Italy. mquarta@stanford.edu
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quarta
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scorzeto
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Canato
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dal Maschio
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Conte
authors.forename: Bert
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Blaauw
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vassanelli
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reggiani
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D025802:Electric Capacitance; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D051379:Mice; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D032446:Myoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000378:metabolism; D012666:Semiconductors; D012825:Silicon / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D002118:Calcium; D012825:Silicon