Objective: To detect the effect of mechanical stretch on shape, alignment, proliferation, and metabolism of tendon cells maintained in three-dimensional culture.
Methods: A cyclic mechanical strain apparatus for three-dimensional cell cultures was developed. Based on the apparatus, a specific stretch pattern (10% elongation, 12 stretches/min for 15 min of each hour) was applied to tenocytes-scaffolding composites.
Results: Initial studies demonstrated that the stretch-mediated effects on cell division, DNA synthesis, and metabolism in such cultures were influenced by the amplitude, frequency, periodicity, and duration of the applied stretch. After 48 hours' exposure to the stretch, the cell number and [3H] thymidine incorporation into DNA were increased, compared with those of the nonstretched controls(P < 0.05). Under the stretch pattern, the shape of cells changed to oblate and spread to the direction of the stretch. The cyclic stretch also caused an increase in collagen synthesis by tendon cells (P < 0.05), which was predominant in type I.
Conclusion: Cyclic mechanical stretches act directly to stimulate tendon cell growth and these results are compatible with a significant role for stretch in tissue-engineered tendon construction.