Host: The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers
Name : [in Japanese]
Date : March 04, 2024 - March 05, 2024
In recent years, it has been acknowledged that the reduction in muscle mass due to aging can result in various health conditions, such as locomotive syndrome. It occurs when the breakdown of skeletal muscle proteins exceeds their synthesis, resulting in loss of motor function and the possibility of becoming bedridden. Currently, there is no specific treatment available for this condition, and research is actively being conducted to establish an effective treatment. It is important to note that these experiments are conducted in a controlled environment and may not necessarily reflect the effects of the drugs on humans. In conventional research on new drug development, animal experiments using mice administered with drugs or genetically engineered mice have been common. The study aimed to establish a muscle disease model that is more reproducible without the need for drugs or genetic manipulation techniques. To achieve this, a threedimensional artificial muscle was prepared using a C2C12 cell line, and culture experiments were conducted in a microgravity environment using a clinostat. The usefulness of the sealed vessel was confirmed by conducting a control experiment with normal culture performed in a 6-well plate. The experiment confirmed that the clinostat had a significant impact on the muscle organoids, resulting in a substantial reduction in contractile force. Additionally, the culture in the closed container showed no significant difference from the culture in the 6-well plate, indicating that it was possible to culture the organoids in an environment similar to that of normal culture.
