Force-induced fibronectin assembly and matrix remodeling in a 3D microtissue model of tissue morphogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Encapsulations of cells in type-I collagen matrices are widely used three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models of wound healing and tissue morphogenesis and are common constructs for drug delivery and for in vivo implantation. As cells remodel the exogenous collagen scaffold, they also assemble a dense fibronectin (Fn) matrix that aids in tissue compaction; however, the spatio-temporal (re)organization of Fn and collagen in this setting has yet to be quantitatively investigated. Here, we utilized microfabricated tissue gauges (μTUGs) to guide the contraction of microscale encapsulations of fibroblasts within collagen gels. We combined this system with a Foerster Radius Energy Transfer (FRET) labeled biosensor of Fn conformation to probe the organization, conformation and remodeling of both the

SUBMITTER: Legant WR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3586566 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature