Rheology of reconstituted type I collagen gel in confined compression

Collagen gels are used extensively for studying cell–matrix mechanical interactions and for making tissue equivalents, where these interactions lead to bulk deformation of the sparse network of long, highly entangled collagen fibrils and syneresis of the interstitial aqueous solution. We have used the confined compression test in conjunction with a biphasic theory to characterize collagen gel mechanics. A finite element method model based on our biphasic theory was used to analyze the experimental results. The results are qualitatively consistent with a viscoelastic collagen network, an inviscid interstitial solution, and significant frictional drag. Using DASOPT, a differential-algebraic equation solver coupled with an optimizing algorithm, the aggregate modulus for the collagen gel was estimated as 6.32 Pa, its viscosity as 6.6×104 Pa s, and its interphase drag coefficient as 6.4×109 Pa s m−2 in long-time (5 h) creep. Analysis of short-time (2 min) constant strain rate tests gave a much higher modulus (...

[1]  Lee A. Segel,et al.  Averaged Equations for Two-Phase Flows , 1971 .

[2]  J. Ferry,et al.  Rheology of fibrin clots. II. Linear viscoelastic behavior in shear creep. , 1974, Biophysical chemistry.

[3]  E Bell,et al.  Production of a tissue-like structure by contraction of collagen lattices by human fibroblasts of different proliferative potential in vitro. , 1979, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

[4]  Y Lanir,et al.  A microstructure model for the rheology of mammalian tendon. , 1980, Journal of biomechanical engineering.

[5]  B. Hull,et al.  Development and Use of a Living Skin Equivalent , 1981, Plastic and reconstructive surgery.

[6]  L. Petzold.  A description of dassl: a differential/algebraic system solver , 1982 .

[7]  J.M.A. Lenihan,et al.  Biomechanics — Mechanical properties of living tissue , 1982 .

[8]  Locomotion and cell surface movements of fibroblasts in fibrillar collagen gels. , 1984, Scanning electron microscopy.

[9]  T. Allen,et al.  An ultrastructural review of collagen gels, a model system for cell-matrix, cell-basement membrane and cell-cell interactions. , 1984, Scanning electron microscopy.

[10]  J. Ferry,et al.  Rheological studies of creep and creep recovery of unligated fibrin clots: Comparison of clots prepared with thrombin and ancrod , 1985, Biopolymers.

[11]  F. Harlow,et al.  Cell motion, contractile networks, and the physics of interpenetrating reactive flow. , 1986, Biophysical journal.

[12]  L. Petzold,et al.  Numerical methods and software for sensitivity analysis of differential-algebraic systems , 1986 .

[13]  M. Holmes.  Finite deformation of soft tissue: analysis of a mixture model in uni-axial compression. , 1986, Journal of biomechanical engineering.

[14]  Willard Miller,et al.  The IMA volumes in mathematics and its applications , 1986 .

[15]  G. Scherer,et al.  Viscoelasticity in silica gel , 1988 .

[16]  N. Tschoegl.  The Phenomenological Theory of Linear Viscoelastic Behavior , 1989 .

[17]  W M Lai,et al.  A finite deformation theory for cartilage and other soft hydrated connective tissues--I. Equilibrium results. , 1990, Journal of biomechanics.

[18]  P. Dawson,et al.  A microstructural model for the anisotropic drained stiffness of articular cartilage. , 1990, Journal of biomechanical engineering.

[19]  Microstructural model of articular cartilage , 1992 .

[20]  L. Germain,et al.  Peripheral anchorage of dermal equivalents , 1992, The British journal of dermatology.

[21]  A Ratcliffe,et al.  Cartilage and diarthrodial joints as paradigms for hierarchical materials and structures. , 1992, Biomaterials.

[22]  D. Dhall,et al.  Effects of Poloxamer 188 on fibrin network structure, whole blood clot premeability and fibrinolysis. , 1993, Thrombosis Research.

[23]  Robert T. Tranquillo,et al.  Fibroblast‐populated collagen microsphere assay of cell traction force: Part 1. Continuum model , 1993 .

[24]  V C Mow,et al.  The biphasic poroviscoelastic behavior of articular cartilage: role of the surface zone in governing the compressive behavior. , 1993, Journal of biomechanics.

[25]  R T Tranquillo,et al.  A methodology for the systematic and quantitative study of cell contact guidance in oriented collagen gels. Correlation of fibroblast orientation and gel birefringence. , 1993, Journal of cell science.

[26]  K. Whaley,et al.  Antibody diffusion in human cervical mucus. , 1994, Biophysical journal.

[27]  R T Tranquillo,et al.  The fibroblast-populated collagen microsphere assay of cell traction force--Part 2: Measurement of the cell traction parameter. , 1995, Journal of biomechanical engineering.

[28]  R T Tranquillo,et al.  Magnetically orientated tissue-equivalent tubes: application to a circumferentially orientated media-equivalent. , 1996, Biomaterials.

[29]  R T Tranquillo,et al.  A finite element solution for the anisotropic biphasic theory of tissue-equivalent mechanics: the effect of contact guidance on isometric cell traction measurement. , 1997, Journal of biomechanical engineering.

[30]  Kihong Park,et al.  Numerical Optimal Control of Parabolic PDES Using DASOPT , 1997 .