Berlin 2024 – scientific programme
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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 9: Poster Session Ib
BP 9.15: Poster
Monday, March 18, 2024, 18:00–20:30, Poster D
Cellular-Matrix Interactions: The Impact of Cell Density on Fibroblast Contraction in Collagen Matrices — •Christin Heinrichs1, Lydia Rebehn1, Hans Kestler2, Karin Scharffetter-Kochanek3, and Kay-E Gottschalk1 — 1Institute for Experimental Physics, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany — 2Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany — 3Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
Fibroblasts, a mesenchymal cell found in connective tissue, maintain the chemical and mechanical homeostasis of the extracellular matrix. To understand the mechanical implications of these cell-matrix interactions we investigate fibroblast contraction in collagen matrices via a 3D printed microscale device[1]. The microscale collagen gel contraction assay simplifies the contraction measurements to one dimension and utilizes a significantly smaller volume of cell-populated gel than a traditional collagen contraction assay. After validating the microscale devices use, we explore the contraction of cell-populated collagen gels with different cell densities reveal potential cooperative effects. Our results underline the need for further investigation into potential collective cell behaviors and the need to explore possible fibroblast transdifferentiation during the experiment.
[1] Zhang, Tianzi, et al. "Investigating fibroblast-induced collagen gel contraction using a dynamic Microscale platform." Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, vol. 7, 2019
Keywords: contraction; collagen; fibroblast; cell behavior; microplatform