Muscle-derived stem cells seeded into acellular scaffolds develop calcium-dependent contractile activity that is modulated by nicotinic receptors.

Objectives: To explore the contractile activity and physiologic properties of muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs) incorporated into small intestinal submucosa (SIS) scaffolds.

Methods: MDSCs were harvested from mice hind leg muscles using the preplate technique and stably transfected with a plasmid to express the LacZ reporter gene. Fifty different preparations of SIS cultured with MDSCs (MDSC/SIS) or SIS alone were incubated at 37 degrees C for 1, 4, and 8 weeks and also were mounted in a bath to measure the isometric contractions.