Abstract
Wound contraction is an ancient survival mechanism of vertebrates that results from tensile forces supporting wound closure. So far, tissue tension was attributed to cellular forces produced by tissue‐resident (myo‐)fibroblasts alone. However, difficulties in explaining pathological deviations from a successful healing path motivate the exploration of additional modulatory factors. Here, it is shown in a biomaterial‐based in vitro wound healing model that the storage of tensile forces in the extracellular matrix has a significant, so‐far neglected contribution to macroscopic tissue tension. In situ monitoring of tissue forces together with second harmonic imaging reveal that the appearance of collagen fibrils correlates with tissue contraction, indicating a mechanical contribution of tensioned collagen fibrils in the contraction process. As the re‐establishment of tissue tension is key to successful wound healing, the findings are expected to advance the understanding of tissue healing but also underlying principles of misregulation and impaired functionality in scars and tissue contractures.
Highlights
Wound contraction is an ancient survival mechanism of vertebrates tension or re-establishment of tissue pretension is believed to be mainly caused by that results from tensile forces supporting wound closure
In vitro systems used to study and quantify tissue contraction are mostly based on the incorporation of cells into collagen gels.[11,19,20,21,22,23]
To gain insights into the relevance of collagen fibrils for tissue contraction at different stages of healing, we aimed to study contraction in different mechanical environments featuring the mechanical stiffness of the hematoma (
Summary
Wound contraction is an ancient survival mechanism of vertebrates tension or re-establishment of tissue pretension is believed to be mainly caused by that results from tensile forces supporting wound closure. Difficulties in explaining pathological deviations from a successful healing path motivate the exploration of additional modulatory factors It is shown in a biomaterial-based in vitro wound already with the traction forces they impose when migrating into the trauma region.[3,4] As part of the healing process, a fibrous network rich in collagen-I is established in the injured region that mechanihealing model that the storage of tensile forces in the extracellular matrix cally stabilizes the tissue and shields has a significant, so-far neglected contribution to macroscopic tissue cells and transitory extracellular matrix tension. Mechanism and an essential process during tissue healing, e.g., The complete restoration of tissue functionality after injury in skin and many other tissues.[1,2] The generation of tissue is, to a large degree, controlled by the re-establishment of the ECM.
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