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Weisrock A, Wüst R, Olenic M, Lecomte-Grosbras P, Thorrez L. MyoFInDer: an AI-based tool for Myotube Fusion Index Determination. Tissue Eng Part A 2024. [PMID: 38832871 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2024.0049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The fusion index is a key indicator for quantifying the differentiation of a myoblast population, which is often calculated manually. In addition to being time-consuming, manual quantification is also error-prone and subjective. Several software tools have been proposed for addressing these limitations, but suffer from various drawbacks including unintuitive interfaces and limited performance. Here, we describe MyoFInDer, a Python-based program for the automated computation of the fusion index of skeletal muscle. At the core of MyoFInDer is a powerful artificial intelligence-based image segmentation model. MyoFInDer also determines the total nuclei count and the percentage of stained area, and allows for manual verification and correction. MyoFInDer can reliably determine the fusion index, with a high correlation to manual counting. Compared to other tools, MyoFInDer stands out as it minimizes the inter-operator variability, minimizes process time and displays the best correlation to manual counting. Therefore, it is a suitable choice for calculating fusion index in an automated way, and gives researchers access to the high performance and flexibility of a modern artificial intelligence model. As a free and open-source project, MyoFInDer can be modified or extended to meet specific needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Weisrock
- KU Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Kortrijk, State..., Belgium
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Centrale Lille, UMR 9013, LaMcube F-59000, Lille, France;
| | - Rebecca Wüst
- KU Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Kortrijk, State..., Belgium;
| | - Maria Olenic
- KU Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Kortrijk, State..., Belgium
- Ghent University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Stem Cell Research Unit, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Merelbeke, Belgium;
| | | | - Lieven Thorrez
- KU Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, E. Sabbelaan 53, bus 7700, Kortrijk, State..., Belgium, 8500;
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Minne M, Terrie L, Wüst R, Hasevoets S, Vanden Kerchove K, Nimako K, Lambrichts I, Thorrez L, Declercq H. Generating human skeletal myoblast spheroids for vascular myogenic tissue engineering. Biofabrication 2024; 16:025035. [PMID: 38437715 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad2fd5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Engineered myogenic microtissues derived from human skeletal myoblasts offer unique opportunities for varying skeletal muscle tissue engineering applications, such asin vitrodrug-testing and disease modelling. However, more complex models require the incorporation of vascular structures, which remains to be challenging. In this study, myogenic spheroids were generated using a high-throughput, non-adhesive micropatterned surface. Since monoculture spheroids containing human skeletal myoblasts were unable to remain their integrity, co-culture spheroids combining human skeletal myoblasts and human adipose-derived stem cells were created. When using the optimal ratio, uniform and viable spheroids with enhanced myogenic properties were achieved. Applying a pre-vascularization strategy, through addition of endothelial cells, resulted in the formation of spheroids containing capillary-like networks, lumina and collagen in the extracellular matrix, whilst retaining myogenicity. Moreover, sprouting of endothelial cells from the spheroids when encapsulated in fibrin was allowed. The possibility of spheroids, from different maturation stages, to assemble into a more large construct was proven by doublet fusion experiments. The relevance of using three-dimensional microtissues with tissue-specific microarchitecture and increased complexity, together with the high-throughput generation approach, makes the generated spheroids a suitable tool forin vitrodrug-testing and human disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mendy Minne
- Tissue Engineering Lab, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven campus KULAK, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Lisanne Terrie
- Tissue Engineering Lab, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven campus KULAK, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Rebecca Wüst
- Tissue Engineering Lab, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven campus KULAK, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Steffie Hasevoets
- Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, UHasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Kato Vanden Kerchove
- Tissue Engineering Lab, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven campus KULAK, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Kakra Nimako
- Tissue Engineering Lab, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven campus KULAK, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Ivo Lambrichts
- Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, UHasselt, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Lieven Thorrez
- Tissue Engineering Lab, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven campus KULAK, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Heidi Declercq
- Tissue Engineering Lab, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven campus KULAK, Kortrijk, Belgium
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Ge X, Wang C, Yang G, Maimaiti D, Hou M, Liu H, Yang H, Chen X, Xu Y, He F. Enhancement of mitochondrial energy metabolism by melatonin promotes vascularized skeletal muscle regeneration in a volumetric muscle loss model. Free Radic Biol Med 2024; 210:146-157. [PMID: 38008130 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Volumetric muscle loss (VML) is a condition that results in the extensive loss of 20 % or more of skeletal muscle due to trauma or tumor ablation, leading to severe functional impairment and permanent disability. The current surgical interventions have limited functional regeneration of skeletal muscle due to the compromised self-repair mechanism. Melatonin has been reported to protect skeletal muscle from exercise-induced oxidative damage and holds great potential to treat muscle diseases. In this study, we hypothesize that melatonin can enhance myoblast differentiation and promote effective recovery of skeletal muscle following VML. In vitro administration of melatonin resulted in a significant enhancement of myogenesis in C2C12 myoblast cells, as evidenced by the up-regulation of myogenic marker genes in a dose-dependent manner. Further experiments revealed that silent information of regulator type 3 (SIRT3) played a critical role in the melatonin-enhanced myoblast differentiation through enhancement of mitochondrial energy metabolism and activation of mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2). Silencing of Sirt3 completely abrogated the protective effect of melatonin on the mitochondrial function of myoblasts, evidenced by the increased reactive oxygen species, decreased adenosine triphosphate production, and down-regulated myoblast-specific marker gene expression. In order to attain a protracted and consistent release, liposome-encapsuled melatonin was integrated into gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel (GelMA-Lipo@MT). The implantation of GelMA-Lipo@MT into a tibialis anterior muscle defect in a VML model effectively stimulated the formation of myofibers and new blood vessels in situ, while concurrently inhibiting fibrotic collagen deposition. The findings of this study indicate that the incorporation of melatonin with GelMA hydrogel has facilitated the de novo vascularized skeletal muscle regeneration by augmenting mitochondrial energy metabolism. This represents a promising approach for the development of skeletal muscle tissue engineering, which could be utilized for the treatment of VML and other severe muscle injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Ge
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China; Orthopaedic Institute, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, China
| | - Chengyue Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China; Orthopaedic Institute, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, China
| | - Guanyu Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China; Orthopaedic Institute, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, China
| | - Dimulati Maimaiti
- Orthopaedic Institute, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, China; School of Biology & Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213003, China
| | - Mingzhuang Hou
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China; Orthopaedic Institute, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China; Orthopaedic Institute, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, China
| | - Huilin Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China; Orthopaedic Institute, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, China
| | - Xi Chen
- School of Biology & Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China; Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou 213003, China.
| | - Yong Xu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China; Orthopaedic Institute, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, China.
| | - Fan He
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China; Orthopaedic Institute, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, China.
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Mäntyselkä S, Kolari K, Baumert P, Ylä-Outinen L, Kuikka L, Lahtonen S, Permi P, Wackerhage H, Kalenius E, Kivelä R, Hulmi JJ. Serine synthesis pathway enzyme PHGDH is critical for muscle cell biomass, anabolic metabolism, and mTORC1 signaling. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2024; 326:E73-E91. [PMID: 37991454 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00151.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Cells use glycolytic intermediates for anabolism, e.g., via the serine synthesis and pentose phosphate pathways. However, we still understand poorly how these metabolic pathways contribute to skeletal muscle cell biomass generation. The first aim of this study was therefore to identify enzymes that limit protein synthesis, myotube size, and proliferation in skeletal muscle cells. We inhibited key enzymes of glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, and the serine synthesis pathway to evaluate their importance in C2C12 myotube protein synthesis. Based on the results of this first screen, we then focused on the serine synthesis pathway enzyme phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH). We used two different PHGDH inhibitors and mouse C2C12 and human primary muscle cells to study the importance and function of PHGDH. Both myoblasts and myotubes incorporated glucose-derived carbon into proteins, RNA, and lipids, and we showed that PHGDH is essential in these processes. PHGDH inhibition decreased protein synthesis, myotube size, and myoblast proliferation without cytotoxic effects. The decreased protein synthesis in response to PHGDH inhibition appears to occur mainly mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)-dependently, as was evident from experiments with insulin-like growth factor 1 and rapamycin. Further metabolomics analyses revealed that PHGDH inhibition accelerated glycolysis and altered amino acid, nucleotide, and lipid metabolism. Finally, we found that supplementing an antioxidant and redox modulator, N-acetylcysteine, partially rescued the decreased protein synthesis and mTORC1 signaling during PHGDH inhibition. The data suggest that PHGDH activity is critical for skeletal muscle cell biomass generation from glucose and that it regulates protein synthesis and mTORC1 signaling.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The use of glycolytic intermediates for anabolism was demonstrated in both myoblasts and myotubes, which incorporate glucose-derived carbon into proteins, RNA, and lipids. We identify phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) as a critical enzyme in those processes and also for muscle cell hypertrophy, proliferation, protein synthesis, and mTORC1 signaling. Our results thus suggest that PHGDH in skeletal muscle is more than just a serine-synthesizing enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakari Mäntyselkä
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, NeuroMuscular Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Kalle Kolari
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, NeuroMuscular Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Philipp Baumert
- Department for Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Laura Ylä-Outinen
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, NeuroMuscular Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Lauri Kuikka
- Central Finland Health Care District Hospital District, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Suvi Lahtonen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Perttu Permi
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
- Department of Chemistry, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Henning Wackerhage
- Department for Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Elina Kalenius
- Department of Chemistry, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Riikka Kivelä
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, NeuroMuscular Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, Research Programs Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Wihuri Research Institute, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juha J Hulmi
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, NeuroMuscular Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
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