title: Computational model of matrix remodeling and entrenchment in the free-floating fibroblast-populated collagen lattice.
abstract: Tissue equivalents represent excellent model systems for elucidating principles of mechanobiology and for exploring methods to improve the functionality of tissue-engineered constructs. The simplest tissue equivalent is the free-floating fibroblast-populated collagen lattice. Although introduced over 30 years ago, the associated mechanics of the cell-mediated compaction of this lattice was only recently analyzed in detail. The goal of this paper was to build on this recent stress analysis by developing a computational model of the evolving geometry, regionally varying material properties and cell stresses, and overall residual stress fields during the first two days of compaction. Baseline results were found to agree well with most experimental observations, namely evolving changes in radius, thickness, and material symmetry, yet hypothesis testing revealed aspects of the mechanobiology that require more experimental attention. Given the generality of the proposed framework, we submit that modifications and refinements can be used to study many similar systems and thereby help guide future experiments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: S-I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Murtada
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Humphrey
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen
keywords: fibroblasts; mechanobiology; residual matrix tension; residual stress; tensional homeostasis