Cardiff University | Prifysgol Caerdydd ORCA
Online Research @ Cardiff 
WelshClear Cookie - decide language by browser settings

Cell-cell interactions and matrix deposition in tendon development in vitro and in vivo

Fish, Rhiannon Susan 2005. Cell-cell interactions and matrix deposition in tendon development in vitro and in vivo. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.

[thumbnail of U584694 DEC PAGE REMOVED.pdf]
Preview
PDF - Accepted Post-Print Version
Download (28MB) | Preview

Abstract

Tendons transmit tensile load from skeletal muscles to bone. They fundamentally consist of densely packed longitudinal collagen fibres separated by rows of tendon fibroblasts. The cells have extensive cell-cell contacts, longitudinally within the rows and between rows via cell processes. This thesis explores how cell-cell interactions and the cytoskeleton relate to matrix secretion and organisation in developing chicken tendons and cell cultures. In initial developmental stages, indicated by tenascin and type I collagen expression, cells were associated with cadherins, vinculin and connexin 32, and the presence of actin fibres. Subsequently, type III collagen delineated early fascicular structure, and later still connexin 43 appeared, relating to mechanical loading and formation of a cellular regulatory network. In culture, monolayers laid down minimal matrix, high density micromass cultures laid down more and pellet cultures produced an extensive matrix, although 75% of their collagen was lost to the medium. Micromasses and pellets expressed similar cytoskeletal and cell junctional markers to the in vivo tendons monolayers differed with early expression of connexin 43. TGF0, bFGF and PDGF singly or in combination had minor effects on collagen production and deposition and had no effect on cell junctional or cytoskeletal components. Finally, a novel suspension culture system was developed to allow large numbers of cells to interact and deposit matrix without interference from medium changes. After establishing that cells aggregated rapidly in suspension culture, suspensions were placed in dialysis tubes contained within 50ml sterile plastic tubes and cultured on rollers, with medium being changed only in the large tubes, leaving the cell suspensions undisturbed. This produced structures up to 3cm in length, with good cell and matrix organisation and seeming to incorporate more collagen into the extracellular matrix than pellet cultures. This could form the basis for a simple scaffold-free tissue engineering approach for tendons and ligaments.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Status: Unpublished
Schools: Biosciences
ISBN: 9781303201110
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 30 March 2016
Last Modified: 28 Mar 2023 13:37
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/55959

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item Edit Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics