Cellular and matrix contributions to tissue construct stiffness increase with cellular concentration.
The mechanics of bio-artificial tissue constructs result from active and passive contributions of cells and extracellular matrix (ECM). We delineated these for a fibroblast-populated matrix (FPM) consisting of chick embryo fibroblast cells in a type I collagen ECM through mechanical testing, mechanical modeling, and selective biochemical elimination of tissue components. From a series of relaxation tests, we found that contributions to overall tissue mechanics from both cells and ECM increase exponentially with the cell concentration. The force responses in these relaxation tests exhibited a logarithmic decay over the 3600 second test duration. The amplitudes of these responses were nearly linear with the amplitude of the applied stretch. The active component of cellular forces rose dramatically for FPMs containing higher cell concentrations.
Marquez
J Pablo
JP
Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Campus Box 1185, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA. pablo@me.wustl.edu
Genin
Guy M
GM
Pryse
Kenneth M
KM
Elson
Elliot L
EL
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D048430:Cell Shape; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002642:Chick Embryo; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004548:Elasticity; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013997:Time Factors; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods
D024042:Collagen Type I