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Mechanical strain alters gene expression in an in vitro model of hypertrophic scarring 21st Annual Meeting of the Northeastern-Society-of-Plastic-Surgeons Derderian, C. A., Bastidas, N., Lerman, O. Z., Bhatt, K. A., Lin, S. E., Voss, J., Holmes, J. W., Levine, J. P., Gurtner, G. C. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2005: 69–75

Abstract

Fibroblasts represent a highly mechanoresponsive cell type known to play key roles in normal and pathologic processes such as wound healing, joint contracture, and hypertrophic scarring. In this study, we used a novel fibroblast-populated collagen lattice (FPCL) isometric tension model, allowing us to apply graded biaxial loads to dermal fibroblasts in a 3-dimensional matrix. Cell morphology demonstrated dose-dependent transition from round cells lacking stress fibers in nonloaded lattices to a broad, elongated morphology with prominent actin stress fibers in 800-mg-loaded lattices. Using quantitative real-time RT-PCR, a dose dependent induction of both collagen-1 and collagen-3 mRNA up to 2.8- and 3-fold, respectively, as well as a 2.5-fold induction of MMP-1 (collagenase) over unloaded FPCLs was observed. Quantitative expression of the proapoptotic gene Bax was down-regulated over 4-fold in mechanically strained FPCLs. These results suggest that mechanical strain up-regulates matrix remodeling genes and down-regulates normal cellular apoptosis, resulting in more cells, each of which produces more matrix. This "double burden" may underlie the pathophysiology of hypertrophic scars and other fibrotic processes in vivo.

View details for DOI 10.1097/01.sap.0000168160.86221.e9

View details for Web of Science ID 000230322100024

View details for PubMedID 15985794