An international research team has discovered a new type of skeletal tissue that offers great potential for advancing regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. An international research team led by the University of California, Irvine has discovered a new type of skeletal tissue that offers great potential for advancing regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
California (USA), December 10 (ANI): An
international research team has discovered a new type of skeletal tissue that
offers great potential for advancing regenerative medicine and tissue
engineering.
An international research team led by the
University of California, Irvine has discovered a new type of skeletal tissue
that offers great potential for advancing regenerative medicine and tissue
engineering.
Most cartilage relies on an external
extracellular matrix for strength, but 'lipocartilage', which is found in the
ears, nose and throat of mammals, is uniquely packed with fat-filled cells
called 'lipochondrocytes'.
It provides super-stable internal support
which enables the strength of tissue. It makes to remain soft and springy --
similar to bubbled packaging material.
The study, published in the journal
Science, describes how lipocartilage cells create and maintain their own lipid
reservoirs while remaining constant in size. Unlike ordinary adipocyte fat
cells, lipo chondrocytes never shrink or expand in response to food
availability.
"Lipocartilage's resilience and
stability provide a compliant, elastic quality that's perfect for flexible body
parts such as earlobes or the tip of the nose, opening exciting possibilities
in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, particularly for facial
defects or injuries," said corresponding author Maksim Plikus, UC Irvine
professor of developmental and cell biology.
"Currently, cartilage reconstruction
often requires harvesting tissue from the patient's rib -- a painful and
invasive procedure. In the future, patient-specific lipo chondrocytes could be
derived from stem cells, purified and used to manufacture living cartilage
tailored to individual needs. With the help of 3D printing, these engineered
tissues could be shaped to fit precisely, offering new solutions for treating
birth defects, trauma and various cartilage diseases."
Dr. Franz Leydig first recognized
lipochondrocytes in 1854, when he noted the presence of fat droplets in the
cartilage of rat ears, a finding that was largely forgotten until now.
Now with modern biochemical tools and
advanced imaging methods, UC Irvine researchers comprehensively characterised
lipo cartilage's molecular biology, metabolism and structural role in skeletal
tissues.
In their research, they also uncovered the
genetic process that suppresses the activity of enzymes that break down fats
and reduce the absorption of new fat molecules.
When stripped of its lipids, the
lipocartilage becomes stiff and brittle, highlighting the importance of its
fat-filled cells in maintaining the tissue's combination of durability and
flexibility.
In addition, the team noted that in some
mammals, such as bats, lipo chondrocytes assemble into intricate shapes, like
parallel ridges in their oversized ears, which may enhance hearing acuity by
modulating sound waves. (ANI)
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