Novel ways to predict tension in a collagen matrix without releasing it from its anchorage.

What is it about?

We used a traditional inverted microscope to measure the z-axis (height, from top to bottom) of a fibroblast-populated collagen matrix that was anchored to its tissue culture dish. As time progressed, the height decreased in the presence of serum; this activity was termed 'compaction'. Each day, a few matrices were released from the dish and began to contract; we measured their diameter contraction. The contraction increased each day in a mostly-linear fashion when plotted against compaction. Therefore the amount of compaction could be used to predict the amount of tension generated without having to release the matrix from the dish. We introduced the innovative use of Optical Coherence Tomography as a method of measuring compaction, with comparable measurements to the light microscope. Mathematical modeling of the OCT data was included as well. We showed that compaction was correlated to tension generation.

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Why is it important?

The collagen matrix (a type of hydrogel also called a collagen lattice) has been used for many years to study the behavior of fibroblasts in vitro in relation to normal wound healing or fibrotic conditions (scars, fibroses, and contractures). Using the methods reported here will allow an investigator to continue culturing his/her experiments without having to sacrifice replicates to determine the amount of tension present. The innovative use of OCT will advance the science of tissue biology as well.

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