Exploring Photobiomodulation in the Maturation of Dystrophic Human Pluripotent Cell-Derived Myotubes

• Grant number: 24/21474-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Anatomy
• Principal Investigator: Elaine Minatel
• Grantee: Elaine Minatel
• Host Investigator: Rita Perlingeiro Kyba
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Minnesota (U of M), United States

Abstract

Currently, there is no cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). While pharmacological treatments such as corticosteroids are routinely administered to control inflammation, their use is limited due to side effects. Myogenic progenitors derived from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) hold great promise for future DMD therapies. The directed differentiation of PSCs into myotubes facilitates in vitro modeling of skeletal muscle diseases. However, although several protocols achieve myogenic differentiation, the resulting myotubes often exhibit an embryonic/fetal identity. The main objective of this study is to develop strategies to enhance the maturation of PSC-derived myotubes, which is key for proper disease modeling of adult neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, my goal is to investigate the effects of photobiomodulation on the maturation process of myotubes derived from a panel of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from control and patients with muscular dystrophy (DM). Additionally, this proposal includes acquiring training in methodologies for working with iPSC lines derived from patients with muscular dystrophy, with a particular focus on mastering the technique of generating contractile force in vitro using three-dimensional muscle constructs. This proposed study represents an original and innovative approach, providing an opportunity to enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms in skeletal muscle and to explore new therapeutic avenues for muscular dystrophies. Furthermore, this proposal seeks to acquire techniques that can be implemented in our laboratory in Brazil and to establish an international partnership, thereby facilitating the continuation of this work through mentorship and collaboration within the Department of Structural and Functional Biology at IB-UNICAMP.