# 3D micro-physiological systems for identification of therapeutic myokines

> **NIH NIH R01** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2023 · $534,091

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Skeletal muscle is a highly vascularized tissue that can secrete cytokines and proteins, collectively termed as
myokines. Despite the tremendous potential for translation, due to the dynamic nature of blood-borne factors,
reliable identification of these humoral factors remains a major hurdle. To overcome this challenge, Dr. Jang and
Dr. Park’s group will leverage advanced microengineering approaches to build a 3D microfluidic muscle circuit
that can control mechanical and biochemical cues in the physiologically relevant 3D microenvironment. In this
proposal, two groups will further refine and upgrade the in vitro muscle platform by integrating a cell-type-specific
protein labeling system (MetRSL2774G transgene) to precisely identify the muscle secretome responsible for the
muscle-to-remote organ communications. In addition, the team will also engineer an exercise-induced myokine
reporter system using an optogenetic actuator (Channel-rhodopsin 2) co-expressed with protein labeling
construct, MetRSL274G. Using these approaches, proposed studies will identify novel contraction-induced
myokines that are responsible for the beneficial effects of exercise. Finally, the research team seeks to identify
muscle proteomes that exert their action on muscle-heart crosstalk, especially in the context of ischemic
preconditioning. The successful outcomes of this project will have far and broad implications in muscle biology
and medicine. This minimally invasive 3D microphysiological system can be exploited in a variety of studies
testing systemic tissue interactions. More importantly, upon validation, the experimental approach used in this
proposal can be translated to develop myokine-based therapeutics for late-onset lifestyle disorders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10595294
- **Project number:** 1R01AR080169-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Young Charles Jang
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $534,091
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-05-22 → 2028-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10595294

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10595294, 3D micro-physiological systems for identification of therapeutic myokines (1R01AR080169-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10595294. Licensed CC0.

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