Collagen Gel Anisotropy Measured by 2-D Laser Trap Microrheometry |
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Authors: | Aron Parekh Darrell Velegol |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Chemical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 108 Fenske Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802, USA;(2) Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 100 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15209, USA |
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Abstract: | Collagen gels can serve as biomaterials ideal for tissue equivalents, especially if they are remodeled to have fibril anisotropy
mimicking native tissue. Type I collagen gel remodeling was studied microscopically to investigate the changes caused by fibroblasts
in collagen gel structures, with and without the growth factors PDGF-BB and TGF-β1. A bidirectional laser trap microrheometry
technique was developed that revealed a high degree of local heterogeneity and anisotropy in the structure of the collagen
gels during active fibroblast contraction. The use of the growth factors increased not only the gel anisotropy, but the heterogeneity
as well, indicating further changes in the collagen fibril orientations. This work shows the ability to influence the remodeling
capabilities of fibroblasts by using growth factors in order to begin to elucidate the changes in the local mechanical environment
of contracting collagen gels. We present this experimental technique as a method for probing changes in the fibroblast-driven
anisotropy of collagen gels as a basis for understanding microstructural tissue organization important in the development
of collagen-based tissue equivalents. |
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Keywords: | Type I collagen gel Laser trap microrheometry Contraction Remodeling Anisotropy Heterogeneity Elasticity |
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