The modulation of myogenic cells differentiation using a semiconductor-muscle junction

• Published in: Biomaterials Vol. 32; no. 18; pp. 4228 - 4237
• Main Authors: Quarta, Marco, Scorzeto, Michele, Canato, Marta, Dal Maschio, Marco, Conte, Davide, Blaauw, Bert, Vassanelli, Stefano, Reggiani, Carlo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2011
• Subjects: action potentials; Action Potentials - physiology; Advanced Basic Science; Animals; Calcium; Calcium - metabolism; Cell culture; Cell Differentiation - physiology; Cells, Cultured; Dentistry; Differentiation; Electric Capacitance; Electric potential; Electric Stimulation - methods; Electrical junctions; Electrical Stimulation; electrochemistry; hybrids; intercellular junctions; ion channels; medicine; Mice; Modulation; Muscle; muscle contraction; muscle development; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal - cytology; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal - metabolism; Muscle, Skeletal - cytology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Muscles; myoblasts; Myoblasts - cytology; Myoblasts - physiology; myocytes; NFATC Transcription Factors - metabolism; Plasticity; Prototypes; Receptors, Cholinergic - metabolism; Semiconductors; Silicon; Silicon - metabolism; Stimulation; synaptogenesis; Titanium; Cell culture; Electrical Stimulation; Calcium; ECS; ECC; Plasticity; Titanium; Muscle; Silicon; NMJ; Neuro Muscular Junction; Electric Capacitive Stimulation; Excitation-Contraction Coupling
• ISSN: 0142-9612; 1878-5905; 1878-5905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.02.024

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.