Figure 3

Fibroblast Populated Collagen Lattice contraction assays. Fibroblast populated collagen lattice (FPCL) cultures have been used by many researchers to model cell-ECM interactions associated with wound contraction and DD [58]. As illustrated here three types of FPCLs have been used by investigators, including (A) Floating- (B) Attached- and (C) Stressed-matrices. Floating-matrices are mechanically released from the sides of the dishes immediately after gel polymerization (1 hour). In contrast, isometric tension is allowed to build up in cells placed in attached- and stressed-matrix cultures. In attached-matrices the contractile forces exerted by cells encounter mechanical resistance, which is thought to mimic 'granulation tissue contraction' (D, in vivo-like phenotypes), while cells seeded in stressed-matrices develop isometric tension during an initial attached period (1 to 2 days) that dissipates when the lattices are mechanically released.