IntroductionSkin stretch by pressure contact, electric field by ion leakage are the most representative physical stimulus during skin wound process, and these physical factors are necessary for natural healing and wound homeostasis. However, when not adequately controlled of these stimulants, external physical cues can provide the mechanically harsh environment on skin cells like dermal fibroblasts and lead to promote excessive synthesis of matrix proteins by the activated fibroblasts, resulting in undesired scar formation. For severe wounds, however, it would be desired to maximize the matrix synthesis to promote faster regeneration, for which exogenously applied physical stimulations may be useful. In this study, we investigated suitable physical condition to develop highly functional fibroblasts and verified the potential of the physical stimulation cues at wound therapy using in vivo mouse model.MethodsNHDFs (Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts, cell line) were cultured in DMEM supplementary with 10% fetal bovine serum, and 1% penicillin‐streptomycin. Electrospinning scaffolds were utilized to mimic cellular elongation by the wound stretching, and the electric field was applied through the cell culture medium by using DC power supply. Cells were expanded on electrospun fibers for two days, and cultured one day more without serum conditions. 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1 V/cm electric field were tested after the serum starvation. The electric field was given for 3 hours with periodic pattern (10 min stimulation, 20 min resting). NHDFs were expanded for two days more with TGF‐b1 treatment before being analyzed.ResultsqPCR analysis was done to quantify the gene expression changes by the physical cues. From the results, calponin, a‐SMA, FGF2, fibronectin genes were upregulated in all physical stimulation condition and showed a synergistic increase when elongation cues and electric field stimulation was both existed. These results were demonstrated in a‐SMA immunofluorescence images with the same aspect. In other words, each physical cues interactively facilitated the regenerative proteins by inducing the myofibroblasts differentiation. This increase of regeneration properties also observed in vivo mouse model and induced wound healing rates as well.DiscussionThe myofibroblasts are inadequate regenerative cells in the point of reversible wound healing. However, in the severe irreversible wound, excessive protein expression of myofibroblasts are more acceptable compared to normal fibroblasts. And, the physical microenvironment of fibroblasts can be one of the best tissue engineering options to increase the myofibroblasts differentiation.Support or Funding InformationThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.