Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2010 May;3(4):292-302. doi: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2009.12.003. Epub 2010 Jan 6.
Artificial tissue growth requires cells to proliferate and differentiate within the host scaffold. As cell function is governed by mechano-sensitive selection, tissue type is influenced by the microscopic forces exposed to the cells, which is a product of macroscopically straining the scaffold. Accordingly, the microscopic strain environment within a CG scaffold is offered here. Using muCT to characterise CG scaffold architecture, two high-resolution 3D FE models were used to predict the deformation mechanics. While also providing an analysis of region-specific features, such as relative density, pore diameters and microstructural elastic stability, the deformation patterns afforded strains to be inferred for seeded cells. The results indicate a regional dependence, in terms of architectural and mechanical properties. Specifically, the peripheral regions demonstrated the lowest volume fraction, the highest stress concentrations and the greatest potential for elastic instability. Conversely, the mid-region exhibited the most homogeneous environment. Based on the proviso of mechano-sensitive proliferation and differentiation, the findings suggest cell function will vary between CG scaffold regions. Further work should investigate the possibility of improving the fabrication process in order to deliver a construct in line with the mid-region, or alternatively, isolation of the mid-region may prove beneficial for cell culturing.
人工组织的生长需要细胞在宿主支架内增殖和分化。由于细胞功能受机械敏感选择的控制，组织类型受暴露于细胞的微观力的影响，而这是宏观拉伸支架的产物。因此，这里提供了 CG 支架内的微观应变环境。使用 muCT 对 CG 支架结构进行了特征描述，使用两个高分辨率的 3D FE 模型来预测变形力学。该模型还提供了对区域特定特征（如相对密度、孔径和微观结构弹性稳定性）的分析，为接种细胞推断出应变。结果表明存在区域依赖性，具体表现为建筑和机械性能。具体来说，外围区域表现出最低的体积分数、最高的应力集中和最大的弹性不稳定性潜力。相反，中间区域表现出最均匀的环境。基于机械敏感增殖和分化的假设，研究结果表明细胞功能将在 CG 支架区域之间发生变化。进一步的工作应该研究改进制造工艺的可能性，以提供与中间区域一致的构建体，或者分离中间区域可能对细胞培养有益。
