Effects of compressive residual stress on the morphologic  changes of fibroblasts.
Recently, the term tensotaxis was proposed to describe the phenomenon that tensile stress or strain affects cell migration. Even so, less attention has been paid to the effects of compressive stress on cell behavior. In this study, by using an injection-molded method combined with photoelastic technology, we developed residual stress gradient-controlled poly-L-lactide discs. After culturing NIH-3T3 fibroblasts on the stress gradient substrate, the cell distributions for high- and low-stress regions were measured and compared. Our results showed that there were significantly more cells in the low-compressive stress region relative to their high-stress analogs (p < 0.05). In addition, NIH-3T3 fibroblasts in the low-compressive stress region expressed more abundant extensive filopodia. These findings provide greater insight into the interaction between cells and substrates, and could serve as a useful reference for connective tissue development and repair.
Lin
Shu-Li
SL
Dental Department, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yang
Jen-Chang
JC
Ho
Kuo-Ning
KN
Wang
Chau-Hsiang
CH
Yeh
Chien-Wu
CW
Huang
Haw-Ming
HM
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D019344:Lactic Acid; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)