Title
The role of collagen cross-links in biomechanical behavior of human aortic heart valve leaflets - Relevance for tissue engineering
Author
Balguid, A.
Rubbens, M.P.
Mol, A.
Bank, R.A.
Bogers, A.J.J.C.
van Kats, J.P.
de Mol, B.A.J.M.
Baaijens, F.P.T.
Bouten, C.V.C.
TNO Kwaliteit van Leven
Publication year
2007
Abstract
A major challenge in tissue engineering of functional heart valves is to determine and mimic the dominant tissue structures that regulate heart valve function and in vivo survival. In native heart valves, the anisotropic matrix architecture assures sustained and adequate functioning under high-pressure conditions. Collagen, being the main load-bearing matrix component, contributes significantly to the biomechanical strength of the tissue. This study investigates the relationship between collagen content, collagen cross-links, and biomechanical behavior in human aortic heart valve leaflets and in tissue-engineered constructs. In the main loading direction (circumferential) of native valve leaflets, a significant positive linear correlation between modulus of elasticity and collagen cross-link concentration was found, whereas no correlation between modulus of elasticity and collagen content was found. Similar findings were observed in tissue-engineered constructs, where cross-link concentration was higher for dynamically strained constructs then for statically cultured controls. These findings suggest a dominant role for collagen cross-links over collagen content with respect to biomechanical tissue behavior in human heart valve leaflets. They further suggest that dynamic tissue straining in tissue engineering protocols can enhance cross-link concentration and biomechanical function. © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
Subject
Biology
Biomedical Research
Anisotropy
Biomechanics
Cardiovascular system
Correlation methods
Pressure effects
Tissue engineering
Anisotropic matrix
Biomechanical function
Dynamic tissue straining
Human aortic heart valve leaflets
Load-bearing matrix
Collagen
collagen
adult
article
biomechanics
cell survival
collagen metabolism
controlled study
cross linking
elasticity
female
heart function
heart valve
human
human cell
human tissue
hyperbarism
in vivo study
male
priority journal
protein cross linking
tissue engineering
young modulus
Aortic Valve
Biomechanics
Collagen
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Tissue Engineering
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:2a4f6921-a309-4847-8cbf-c80367b24c66
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1089/ten.2006.0279
TNO identifier
240080
ISSN
1076-3279
Source
Tissue Engineering, 13 (7), 1501-1511
Document type
article