[Initial study on three-dimensional culture of tenocytes under cyclic mechanical stretch].
OBJECTIVE
To detect the effect of mechanical stretch on shape, alignment, proliferation, and metabolism of tendon cells maintained in three-dimensional culture.


METHODS
A cyclic mechanical strain apparatus for three-dimensional cell cultures was developed. Based on the apparatus, a specific stretch pattern (10% elongation, 12 stretches/min for 15 min of each hour) was applied to tenocytes-scaffolding composites.


RESULTS
Initial studies demonstrated that the stretch-mediated effects on cell division, DNA synthesis, and metabolism in such cultures were influenced by the amplitude, frequency, periodicity, and duration of the applied stretch. After 48 hours' exposure to the stretch, the cell number and [3H] thymidine incorporation into DNA were increased, compared with those of the nonstretched controls(P < 0.05). Under the stretch pattern, the shape of cells changed to oblate and spread to the direction of the stretch. The cyclic stretch also caused an increase in collagen synthesis by tendon cells (P < 0.05), which was predominant in type I.


CONCLUSIONS
Cyclic mechanical stretches act directly to stimulate tendon cell growth and these results are compatible with a significant role for stretch in tissue-engineered tendon construction.
Qin
Tingwu
T
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Yang
Zhiming
Z
Xie
Huiqi
H
Li
Xiuqiong
X
Li
Shouqun
S
Ye
Guangdou
G
Li
Shengfu
S
D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D006801:Humans; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013710:Tendons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013718:Tensile Strength; D023822:Tissue Engineering
D004247:DNA