title: Multiscale mechanical simulations of cell compacted collagen gels.
abstract: Engineered tissues are commonly stretched or compressed (i.e., conditioned) during culture to stimulate extracellular matrix (ECM) production and to improve the mechanical properties of the growing construct. The relationships between mechanical stimulation and ECM remodeling, however, are complex, interdependent, and dynamic. Thus, theoretical models are required for understanding the underlying phenomena so that the conditioning process can be optimized to produce functional engineered tissues. Here, we continue our development of multiscale mechanical models by simulating the effect of cell tractions on developing isometric tension and redistributing forces in the surrounding fibers of a collagen gel embedded with explants. The model predicted patterns of fiber reorganization that were similar to those observed experimentally. Furthermore, the inclusion of cell compaction also changed the distribution of fiber strains in the gel compared to the acellular case, particularly in the regions around the cells where the highest strains were found.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Maziar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aghvami
authors.forename: V H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Barocas
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Sander
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D002468:Cell Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry*; D019245:Compressive Strength / Q000502:physiology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D055119:Elastic Modulus / Q000502:physiology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D003094:Collagen