title: Matrix scaffolding for stem cell guidance toward skeletal muscle tissue engineering.
abstract: Extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of many types of fibrous structural proteins and glycosaminoglycans. This important cell component not only provides a support for cells but is also actively involved in cell-cell interaction, proliferation, migration, and differentiation, representing, therefore, no longer only a mere static structural scaffold for cells but rather a dynamic and versatile compartment. This aspect leads to the need for investigating new bio-inspired scaffolds or biomaterials, able to mimic ECM in tissue engineering. This new field of research finds particular employment in skeletal muscle tissue regeneration, due to the inability of this complex tissue to recover volumetric muscle loss (VML), after severe injury. Usually, this is the result of traumatic incidents, tumor ablations, or pathological states that lead to the destruction of a large amount of tissue, including connective tissue and basement membrane. Therefore, skeletal muscle tissue engineering represents a valid alternative to overcome this problem.Here, we described a series of natural and synthetic biomaterials employed as ECM mimics for their ability to recreate the correct muscle stem cell niche, by promoting myogenic stem cell differentiation and so, positively affecting muscle repair.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Rome University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fuoco
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Rome University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia Lisa
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Petrilli
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Rome University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cannata
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Rome University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. cesare.gargioli@uniroma2.it.
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gargioli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D016378:Tissue Transplantation / Q000379:methods
keywords: Biomaterials; Biomimetic scaffold; Extracellular matrix; Skeletal muscle; Tissue engineering