In vivo [1] and in vitro [2-4] studies show that cell and matrix alignment can be significantly affected by mechanical stimuli. Even in highly aligned engineered tissues, cells are able to remodel the collagen orientation when loading conditions are altered [4]. The mechanism behind this fiber adaptation process is yet unclear. It is known, however, that modest strain protects collagen against matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) degradation [5-8]. We previously showed using a numerical model that this mechanism by itself causes tissues to align in agreement with physiological tissue orientations [9].
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