Fig. 3: Five-day simulated microgravity (s-μG) reduces contractile function of engineered muscle tissues (EMTs). | npj Microgravity

Fig. 3: Five-day simulated microgravity (s-μG) reduces contractile function of engineered muscle tissues (EMTs).

From: Simulated microgravity attenuates myogenesis and contractile function of 3D engineered skeletal muscle tissues

Fig. 3: Five-day simulated microgravity (s-μG) reduces contractile function of engineered muscle tissues (EMTs).

a Experimental timeline. Arrow indicates timepoints for force measurement, immunofluorescence staining, and biochemical analysis of EMTs. Created using Biorender®. b A random positioning machine (RPM) is utilized to simulate microgravity. c A PDMS post array loaded with EMTs is sealed in the tissue chamber for the RPM experiment. d, e Tetanic amplitude of EMTs under electrical stimuli at 20 Hz and 20 V. f Specific tetanic force normalized by total cross-sectional areas of the myotubes. g Twitch contraction velocity of EMTs. h, i Twitch amplitude of EMTs under electrical stimuli at 1 Hz and 20 V. j Specific twitch force normalized by total cross-sectional areas of the myotubes. k Twitch relaxation velocity of EMTs. Contraction amplitude of EMTs developed in s-μG is significantly lower compared to standard gravity controls (ctrl), accompanied with significantly decreased twitch contraction and relaxation velocities. Data are mean ± SEM (N = 4, *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001 by unpaired t test).

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