The Plasticity of Nanofibrous Matrix Regulates Fibroblast Activation in Fibrosis

• DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202001856
• Publication Date: 2021-01-29T08:23:50Z
• Authors: Yuanbo Jia; Yanzhong Wang; Lele Niu; Hang Zhang; Jin Tian; Dengfeng Gao; Xiaohui Zhang; Tian Jian Lu; Jin Qian; Guoyou Huang; Feng Xu
• Keywords: Microscale chemistry; Matrix (chemical analysis)

Abstract Natural extracellular matrix (ECM) mostly has a fibrous structure that supports and mechanically interacts with local residing cells to guide their behaviors. The effect of ECM elasticity on cell behaviors been extensively investigated, while less attention paid the fiber‐network plasticity at microscale, although plastic remodeling is common phenomenon in fibrosis. Here, significant decrease found native fibrotic tissues, which associated an increase crosslinking. To explore role fibrosis development, set 3D collagen nanofibrous constant modulus but tunable constructed by adjusting crosslinking degree. Using plasticity‐controlled culture models, it demonstrated promotes fibroblast activation spreading. Further, coarse‐grained molecular dynamic model developed simulate cell–matrix interaction microscale. Combining experiments, revealed enhanced mediated through cytoskeletal tension nuclear translocation Yes‐associated protein. Taken together, results clarify effects crosslinking‐induced changes development diseases highlight as important mechanical cue understanding interactions.