Influence of strain and contact guidance on collagen organization in engineered cardiovascular tissues : implications for in situ tissue engineering

Cardiovascular tissues have a prominent load-bearing function. Collagen fibers in the extracellular matrix provide strength to these tissues. In particular the content and organization of these fibers contribute to overall strength [1]. In case of changes in mechanical demand, collagen content and organization can be adapted; a process referred to as collagen remodeling. For the creation of engineered cardiovascular tissues knowledge about collagen remodeling is of utmost importance to produce tissues with load bearing function. In case of in situ tissue engineering (TE) collagen content and organization in the developing tissue can be influenced by local tissue strains as well as scaffold structure and degradation properties [2, 3]