Mechanically Spatio‐Chimeric Fibrin Assembly Enables Vascular‐Integrated Muscle Reconstruction for Volumetric Muscle Loss Repair

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Authors: Su Hyun Jung, 김민준, Da‐Yoon Kim, Min Kyu Kim, Sieun Lee, Yoonhee Jin, Joo Hee Kang
Cited by: 1
References: 35

Abstract

Volumetric muscle loss (VML), a severe injury involving irreversible loss of both muscle tissue and vasculature, poses a major barrier to the development of clinically viable muscle grafts. Functional restoration requires engineered constructs capable of reconstructing both contractile and vascular components that can functionally integrate with the host vasculature. Here, we introduce SPARC (spatio-chimeric, plasma-based, anisotropic, and shear-responsive construct), a mechanically bimodal fibrin hydrogel engineered via shear-guided assembly of plasma fibrin to recreate the structural and mechanical heterogeneity of native muscle. Controlled microfluidic shear generates aligned fibrillar bundles and a spatially graded bimodal stiffness architecture, establishing stiff, bundle-dense regions that favor myogenic differentiation and compliant regions that promote endothelial morphogenesis. When co-cultured with myoblasts and endothelial cells, the resulting anisotropic matrix directs spatially organized myogenic maturation and endothelial morphogenesis. In vivo evaluation in a murine VML model shows that vascularized muscle SPARC grafts restore muscle architecture and function, promoting neovascularization, myofiber regeneration, and enhanced motor recovery. Through its spatially mechano-programmed design, SPARC enables coordinated myogenic and endothelial organization within a single construct, establishing a scalable biofabrication strategy for functional repair of extensive muscle defects.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Muscle Physiology and Disorders Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications 3D Printing in Biomedical Research

Publication details

Journal / source
Advanced Materials
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
38
Issue
44
Pages
e23542–e23542
Publication date
22 April 2026
Language
EN