Predictable fibroblast tension generation by measuring compaction of anchored collagen matrices using microscopy and optical coherence tomography

The anchored fibroblast-populated collagen matrix (aFPCM) is an appropriate model to study fibrocontractive disease mechanisms. Our goal was to determine if aFPCM height reduction (compaction) during development is sufficient to predict tension generation. Compaction was quantified daily by both traditional light microscopy and an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. Contraction in aFPCM was revealed by releasing them from anchorage. We found that aFPCM contraction increase was correlated to the compaction increase. Cytochalasin D treatment reversibly inhibited compaction. Therefore, we demonstrated that aFPCM height reduction efficiently measures compaction, contraction, and relative maturity of the collagen matrix during development or treatment. In addition, we showed that OCT is suitable for effectively imaging the cross-sectional morphology of the aFPCM in culture. This study will pave the way for more efficient studies on the mechanisms of (and treatments that target) migration and contraction in wound healing and Dupuytren’s contracture in a tissue environment.