A murine model of volumetric muscle loss and a regenerative medicine approach for tissue replacement

Tissue Eng Part A. 2012 Oct;18(19-20):1941-8. doi: 10.1089/ten.TEA.2012.0475.

Abstract

Volumetric muscle loss (VML) resulting from traumatic accidents, tumor ablation, or degenerative disease is associated with limited treatment options and high morbidity. The lack of a reliable and reproducible animal model of VML has hindered the development of effective therapeutic strategies. The present study describes a critical-sized excisional defect within the mouse quadriceps muscle that results in an irrecoverable volumetric defect. This model of VML was used to evaluate the efficacy of a surgically placed inductive biologic scaffold material composed of porcine small intestinal submucosa-extracellular matrix (SIS-ECM). The targeted placement of an SIS-ECM scaffold within the defect was associated with constructive tissue remodeling including the formation of site-appropriate skeletal muscle tissue. The present study provides a reproducible animal model with which to study VML and shows the therapeutic potential of a bioscaffold-based regenerative medicine approach to VML.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Extracellular Matrix / chemistry*
  • Female
  • Intestinal Mucosa / cytology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Muscle, Skeletal / cytology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / surgery
  • Regenerative Medicine / methods*
  • Swine
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry*