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On the Viscoelastic Properties of Collagen‐Gel‐Based Lattices under Cyclic Loading: Applications for Vascular Tissue Engineering
Author(s) -
Achilli Matteo,
Meghezi Sébastien,
Mantovani Diego
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/mame.201100363
Subject(s) - viscoelasticity , materials science , elasticity (physics) , composite material , tissue engineering , hysteresis , biomedical engineering , medicine , physics , quantum mechanics
Reconstituted collagen gels are widely used as scaffolds even though their low strength and poor elasticity limit their applications in VTE. Here, two approaches are adopted to modify their mechanical behavior: in the first, gels prepared under physiologic conditions are remodeled by cell‐mediated contraction; in the second, gels prepared in non‐physiologic conditions are chemically crosslinked. Samples are tested under cyclic loading and their viscoelastic behavior is assessed. The results show that both approaches result in lattices with adequate strength, and crosslinking significantly reduces hysteresis and permanent deformation. SEM shows that SMCs are capable of contracting and remodeling all the lattices, confirming that these are suitable supports for tissue regeneration.