Modeling cell and matrix anisotropy in fibroblast populated collagen vessels

Microstructurally based models for bio-artificial tissues are needed to predict in vivo mechanical behavior and to validate assumptions for models of biologic tissues. We develop a microstructural model, based on on Zahalak et al. (2000) [Biophys 79(5):2369-2381], to describe matrix and tissue anisotropy observed in recent biaxial tests of fibroblast populated collagen vessels (FPCVs) with different cell orientations (Wagenseil et al. in Ann Biomed Eng 32(5):720-731 2004). The model includes pseudo-elastic cell behavior and pseudo-elastic, non-linear matrix behavior with recruitment of initially buckled collagen fibers. We obtained estimates of collagen matrix parameters from measurements of FPCVs treated with 2x 10(-6) M Cytochalasin D and used these estimates to determine cell parameters in FPCVs activated with 5% fetal calf serum. The estimated stiffness of individual fibroblasts was 41-1,165 kPa. Parameter estimates for both cell and matrix were influenced by the non-linearity of the biaxial test data, making it difficult to obtain unique parameter values for some experiments. Additional microstructural measurements of the collagen matrix may help to more precisely determine the relative contributions of cells and matrix.