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Collagen gel contraction as a measure of fibroblast function in carpal tunnel syndrome
Author(s) -
Yang TaiHua,
Thoreson Andrew R.,
Gingery Anne,
An KaiNan,
Larson Dirk R.,
Zhao Chunfeng,
Amadio Peter C.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1552-4965
pISSN - 1549-3296
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.a.35200
Subject(s) - fibroblast , carpal tunnel syndrome , contraction (grammar) , fibrosis , connective tissue , ultimate tensile strength , extracellular matrix , materials science , medicine , pathology , surgery , chemistry , biochemistry , in vitro , composite material
Noninflammatory subsynovial connective tissue (SSCT) fibrosis with nerve compression is a prominent feature of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Studies have shown that SSCT matrix synthesis and material property changes in CTS are associated with increased activity of transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1. The aim of this study were to (1) investigate the ability of SSCT fibroblasts from CTS patients and unaffected individuals to contract a collagen gel ring and (2) determine how the addition of TGF‐β1 affects this ability. SSCT fibroblasts from three normal cadavers and three age‐matched female patients who had undergone surgery for CTS were used. Results showed patient cell‐seeded gels had a significantly higher contraction rate ( p < 0.001) than control cells, and fully contracted gel rings possessed a significantly higher tensile strength ( p = 0.003) and stiffness ( p < 0.001). Furthermore, TGF‐β1 significantly intensified contraction rate ( p < 0.001), tensile strength ( p < 0.001), and stiffness ( p < 0.001). In conclusion, SSCT cells from normal donors and CTS patients contract collagen gel rings differently, and this ability is affected by TGF‐β1 treatment. This cell‐seeded collagen gel model may be useful for developing new methods of stopping or eliminating the effect of TGF‐β1 on the SSCT fibroblasts and surrounding matrix, which might aid in the identification of medical treatment for CTS. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 574–580, 2015.