Effects of Varying Thrombin and Calcium Concentration on the Structure, Mechanical Properties, and Cellular Compatibility of Fibrin Gels
Wang, Rebecca
2012
- The creation and subsequent implantation of engineered heart tissue (EHT) serves as a promising treatment of complications resulting from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although fibrin gels have previously been used as scaffolds for EHT, little is known about the effects of changing concentrations of reagents during their formation on their ultimate usability. Ultimately, we wish to develop a ... read moreformulation that accurately mimics the mechanical properties of native heart tissue and allows for optimal attachment, proliferation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition of cardiac cells. To work towards this long-term goal, this study aimed at measuring the effects of varying reagent concentrations, such as thrombin and calcium, on the structure, mechanical properties, and cellular compatibility on fibrin gels. In this study, independent experiments were conducted to determine the effects of varying reagent concentration on each of these parameters. We determined that increasing the calcium concentration within the gel led to an increase in fiber diameter and a decrease in individual fiber density, while increasing in thrombin concentration led to a decrease in fiber diameter and an increase in individual fiber density. In addition, we found that formulations leading to intermediate fiber diameters also gave rise to gels that were the most mechanically robust. Finally, although cells were able to adhere to and proliferate on fibrin gels created under all formulations, we determined that cells exhibited the greatest collagen deposition when grown on gels with small fiber diameters and high individual fiber densities.read less
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