The contraction of collagen matrices by dermal fibroblasts.
Floating collagen gel cultures containing human foreskin fibroblasts have been observed to undergo a rapid contraction process. The initial rate of contraction (i.e., within the first 2 hr) was observed to be a linear function of cell number within the concentration range of 10(5)-10(6) cells/gel. Observation of thick, deresined sections of such contracting gels in the SEM, as well as observation of thin sections in the TEM, suggest that the fibroblasts exert a tension upon the surrounding collagen fibers. These observations further indicate that the fibroblasts migrate from the interior regions of the gel matrix and eventually form a monolayer of cells encapsulating the contracted collagen disc. These observations are discussed in terms of the possible mechanisms involved in gel contraction.
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010413:Penis; D012867:Skin / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D005782:Gels; D003094:Collagen