Fig. 6

Myogenic differentiation and alignment of 3D-bioprinted NC and MSTN KO cells in GSH and PSH. A Immunofluorescence images of NC and MSTN KO cells grown on GSH and PSH, showing both fiber and bridge regions. Red = MYH, Green = Desmin, Blue = Nuclei. Scale bars = 200 μm. B 3D reconstruction images of MSTN KO myotubes in GSH hydrogels. Red = MYH, Blue = Nuclei. Scale bars = 200 μm. C 3D reconstruction of MSTN KO myotubes in PSH hydrogels. Red = MYH, Blue = Nuclei. Scale bars = 200 μm. D Schematic diagram representing the length of the myotube and the angle between the direction of the cell and the orientation of the fiber. The distribution of the angle and length of the myotube was obtained from immunofluorescence images of NC and MSTN KO cells grown on GSH and PSH. E Comparison of myotube lengths for NC and MSTN KO cells grown on GSH and PSH. Data are presented as mean ± SD (n = 5). Asterisks indicate statistically significant differences (^***P < 0.001; n.s., not significant). F Fusion index of NC and MSTN KO cells grown on GSH and PSH. Data are presented as mean ± SD (n = 3). Asterisks indicate statistically significant differences (^***P < 0.001; n.s., not significant)