Mechanical Loading Regulates Soft Tissue ECM Gene Expression in Fibroblast-Seeded Collagen Scaffolds

Mechanical stimuli are crucial for the remodeling and healing soft tissues like ligaments and tendons. Previous research has examined this mechanobiological response in-vitro by applying stress- or strain-based stimulation on cell-seeded scaffolds. However, the precise physical mechanisms that control fibroblast-mediated extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in response to different loading configurations remain unclear. This lack of understanding limits the establishment of optimal treatment strategies for soft tissue damage, which affects about 12 million U.S. citizens annually. This research aims to bridge this gap by investigating the effects of different loading configurations on the expression of ECM genes in fibroblast-seeded collagen scaffolds. We hypothesize that fibroblast-seeded collagen scaffolds subjected to combined tension-compression loading will improve collagen synthesis and remodeling-associated genes like transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), elastin (E1), Collagen type I α1 (Col1a1), Collagen type II α1 (Col2a1), and Collagen type III α1 (Col3a1). This research will enable the development of fundamental theories for the mechanobiology of tendon and ligament healing, which will help medical professionals develop more effective treatments for soft tissue injuries.