Development of an in vitro model of contraction by fibroblasts

Dermal scars in adult humans are mechanically and functionally inferior to normal skin and can be physically disfiguring. The contraction of the wound by fibroblasts has been linked to the formation of scar. The mechanical and chemical signals, which control the contraction, are being investigated through the use of models of fibroblast contraction to understand the conditions which promote tissue regeneration. A cell force monitor (CFM) was designed and constructed to measure quantitatively the contraction of a highly-porous, collagen-GAG matrix by fibroblasts. Using this device, contractile force, displacement, and kinetics were compared for different values of cell density and total stiffness resisting fibroblast contraction. In addition, observation of live cells contracting individual matrix struts established the cellular mechanisms responsible for the matrix contraction measured in the CFM. Observation of live cells revealed that macroscopic contraction of the collagen-GAG matrix was the result of forces generated during cell elongation.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2001

Author dc:creator

• Freyman, Toby M., 1974-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Lorna J. Gibson and Ioannis V. Yannas.

• Materials Science and Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/8454

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/8454