Engineering and Characterization of an Optogenetic Model of the Human Neuromuscular Junction.

ABSTRACT: Many neuromuscular diseases, such as myasthenia gravis (MG), are associated with dysfunction of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), which is difficult to characterize in animal models due to physiological differences between animals and humans. Tissue engineering offers opportunities to provide in vitro models of functional human NMJs that can be used to diagnose and investigate NMJ pathologies and test potential therapeutics. By incorporating optogenetic proteins into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), we generated neurons that can be stimulated with specific wavelengths of light. If the NMJ is healthy and functional, a neurochemical signal from the motoneuron results in muscle contraction. Through the integration of optogenetics and microfabrication with tissue engineering, we establi

SUBMITTER: Liberman M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10061228 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature