title: Evaluation of lateral mechanical tension in thin-film tissue constructs.
abstract: Fibroblast-populated collagen matrices provide a simplified tissue model for wound healing and development processes. A technology (CELLDRUM Technology) evaluating lateral mechanical tension in fibroblast-populated collagen matrices (tissue constructs) with a thickness of 1 mm was introduced. Defined mechanical boundary conditions together with the known number and orientation of the cells revealed precise data on the average tension exerted by a single cell. Circular cell-populated collagen gels were manufactured inside the CELLDRUM on top of a flexible membrane. The collagen matrix was then excited by a sound pulse. The resulting resonance oscillation was monitored by a laser-based deflection sensor and frequency and damping were analyzed giving information on mechanical properties of the tissue construct. Several evaluation experiments were performed. Calf serum enhanced contractile forces of fibroblasts dose dependently. After the gels were treated with cytochalasin D for 24 h, the cell forces were reduced by 42% of control. The remaining tension was attributed to the extracellular matrix remodeling occurring during cell growth and to other cytoskeletal structures like microtubules and intermediate filaments. We also found that only after a few hours of culture fibroblast-seeded collagen gels began developing significant mechanical tension. A mechanical tension profile of proliferating fibroblasts in collagen gels over culture time was obtained.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biophysics and Bioengineering, University of Applied Sciences, Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trzewik
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Artmann-Temiz
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Linder
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Demirci
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Digel
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Artmann
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000502:physiology*; D004548:Elasticity; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008566:Membranes / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods