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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/138717
Challenges and future prospects on 3D in-vitro modeling of the neuromuscular circuit
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Movement of skeletal-muscle fibers is generated by the coordinated action of several cells taking part within the locomotion circuit (motoneurons, sensory-neurons, Schwann cells, astrocytes, microglia, and muscle-cells). Failure s in any part of this circuit could impede or hinder coordinated muscle movement and cause a neu romuscular disease (NMD) or determine its severity. Studying fragments of the circuit cannot provide a comprehensive and complete view of the pathological process. We trace the historic developments of studies focused on in-vitro modeling of the spinal-locomotion circuit and how bioengineered innovative technologies show advantages for an accurate mimicking of hysiological conditions of spinal-locomotion circuit. New developments on compartmentalized microfluidic culture systems (cμFCS), the use of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and 3D cell-cultures are analyzed. We finally address limitations of current study models and three main challenges on neuromuscular studies: (i) mimic the whole spinal-locomotion circuit including all cell-types involved and the evaluation of independent and interdependent roles of each one; (ii) mimic the neurodegenerative response of mature neurons in-vitro as it occurs in-vivo ; and (iii) develop, tune, implement, and combine cμFCS, hiPSC, and 3D-culture technologies to ultimately create patient-specific complete, translational, and reliable NMD in-vitro model. Overcoming these challenges would significantly facilitate understanding the events taking place in NMDs and accelerate the process of finding new therapies.
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BADIOLA MATEOS, Maider, et al. Challenges and future prospects on 3D in-vitro modeling of the neuromuscular circuit. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. 2018. Vol. 6, num. 194. ISSN 2296-4185. [consulted: 14 of June of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/138717