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Three-dimensional models of skeletal muscle under tension: a systematic review and core outcome set.

Journal articles  - Journal Article
Bhanot, K; Core Outcome Set Review Group; Thurley, N; Cleveland, RO; Mimpen, J; Snelling, SJB; Rickard, R; Staruch, R
Published in: NPJ Regenerative medicine
April 2026

Biologically representative three-dimensional (3D) skeletal muscle models are required to understand the mechanisms underpinning muscle disease. The primary aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the current literature on 3D skeletal muscle models under tension. Its secondary aim is to explore injury mechanisms and generate a novel Core Outcome Set (COS) for reporting of such models. In vitro studies that utilised any skeletal muscle cell types cultured with an anchor system imposing axial strain were eligible for inclusion. A modified Delphi approach using corresponding authors of included studies was then developed to obtain a COS. This systematic review was reported in compliance with the PRISMA 2020 checklist. 37 articles were included. Of these, 7 articles induced an injury in their model. Cell lines used were both human and animal. Immunohistochemical testing on models revealed greatest concordance for myosin heavy chain (MHC), alpha actinin, and Pax7 as a means of demonstrating striated muscle. The final COS agreed on multiple reporting criteria for the validation of models based on morphology, phenotype and function. This systematic review summarises the current literature and has developed core outcome reporting for models of 3D skeletal muscle that impose axial strain.

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Published In

NPJ Regenerative medicine

DOI

EISSN

2057-3995

ISSN

2057-3995

Publication Date

April 2026

Volume

11

Issue

1

Start / End Page

29

Related Subject Headings

  • 3208 Medical physiology
  • 3206 Medical biotechnology
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Bhanot, K., Core Outcome Set Review Group, Thurley, N., Cleveland, R. O., Mimpen, J., Snelling, S. J. B., … Staruch, R. (2026). Three-dimensional models of skeletal muscle under tension: a systematic review and core outcome set. NPJ Regenerative Medicine, 11(1), 29. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41536-026-00464-z
Bhanot, Kunal, Core Outcome Set Review Group, Neal Thurley, Robin O. Cleveland, Jolet Mimpen, Sarah J. B. Snelling, Rory Rickard, and Robert Staruch. “Three-dimensional models of skeletal muscle under tension: a systematic review and core outcome set.NPJ Regenerative Medicine 11, no. 1 (April 2026): 29. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41536-026-00464-z.
Bhanot K, Core Outcome Set Review Group, Thurley N, Cleveland RO, Mimpen J, Snelling SJB, et al. Three-dimensional models of skeletal muscle under tension: a systematic review and core outcome set. NPJ Regenerative medicine. 2026 Apr;11(1):29.
Bhanot, Kunal, et al. “Three-dimensional models of skeletal muscle under tension: a systematic review and core outcome set.NPJ Regenerative Medicine, vol. 11, no. 1, Apr. 2026, p. 29. Epmc, doi:10.1038/s41536-026-00464-z.
Bhanot K, Core Outcome Set Review Group, Thurley N, Cleveland RO, Mimpen J, Snelling SJB, Rickard R, Staruch R. Three-dimensional models of skeletal muscle under tension: a systematic review and core outcome set. NPJ Regenerative medicine. 2026 Apr;11(1):29.

Published In

NPJ Regenerative medicine

DOI

EISSN

2057-3995

ISSN

2057-3995

Publication Date

April 2026

Volume

11

Issue

1

Start / End Page

29

Related Subject Headings

  • 3208 Medical physiology
  • 3206 Medical biotechnology