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Aging-related structural change in 3D extracellular matrix affects its mechanics
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, United States of America; Institute for NanoBioTechnology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, United States of America.
Medical Engineering & Physics
|August 4, 2022
Summary
Aging significantly alters the extracellular matrix (ECM), reducing hydraulic conductivity while increasing pressure loss and drag force. These changes offer biological insights into aging and related diseases.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Computational Biology
- Aging Research
Background:
- Aging profoundly impacts the extracellular matrix (ECM) structure, mechanics, and transport properties.
- Understanding these age-related ECM changes is crucial for addressing health issues associated with aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a computational model simulating aging-related alterations in ECM fibrous networks.
- To quantitatively assess the impact of aging on ECM mechanical and transport properties.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a finite volume method for computational analysis.
- Modeled aging-related changes in ECM fibrous networks.
- Calculated key parameters: velocity field, pressure loss, hydraulic conductivity, and drag force.
Main Results:
- Aging ECM-mimetic networks exhibited significantly lower hydraulic conductivity compared to younger networks.
- Pressure loss and drag force were found to increase in aging ECM-mimetic networks.
- Quantitative data demonstrated distinct changes in mechanical and transport properties due to aging.
Conclusions:
- Altered mechanical and transport properties in aging ECM serve as important biological indicators.
- Findings provide insights for assessing the aging process.
- This research can inform strategies for treating aging-related diseases.
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