以具方向性的膠原蛋白模型來探討細胞在立體空間中之運動

Abstract

本實驗的目標是要發展出一個有方向性的膠原蛋白模型來探討韌帶纖維母細胞在三度空間中之移動。韌帶纖維母細胞原生在由膠原蛋白纖維束組成的排列結構中，而研究顯示具方向性的環境可以改變細胞外型，蛋白表現、細胞移動和附著。 同時，細胞在平面上和三度空間之中會表現出不同的細胞表現。在本實驗中，我們利用微流道的方式創造出一個有排列的膠原蛋白，來比較細胞在平面和三度空間中的差異。我們施加電場在細胞來提供一個均勻的刺激。 細胞在平面和三度空間中都顯現出對於有方向性的膠原蛋白會排列，同時在電刺激下會沿著膠原蛋白的纖維走向移動爬行。但是，細胞移動的方向性似乎也受到了膠原蛋白的高度影響。這個影響可能跟細胞附著的調節和細胞張力恆定有關。

The aim of this study is to develop an aligned collagen matrix to examine cell migration of ligament fibroblasts, which natively reside in a highly collagen fibrous and anisotropic microenvironment made of type I collagen. This highly aligned arrangement has been shown to modulate fibroblast morphology, migration rate and attachment. However, cells also exhibit significantly different behaviors in 2D and 3D environments. In the current study, a microfluidic device was developed to create aligned collagen hydrogel and examine cell migration behavior in 2D and 3D collagen matrix. Cells are subjected with an electrical field to apply a homogenous field of migration stimulation. Cells in both 2D and 3D show high alignment to the collagen matrix and cell migration show preference of contact guidance over EF stimulation. However, cell migration directionality is influenced by matrix thickness, possibly through regulation of cell attachment disassembly and tensional homeostasis.