Modulation of Traction Forces of Isolated Tenocytes by Substrate Stiffness

Mechanical stimuli are important to maintenance of homeostasis in many connective tissues including tendons and ligaments. Application of cyclic tensile loading in a physiological range has been demonstrated to possess anabolic and anti-catabolic effects on tenocyte metabolism [1,2], whereas the loading falling outside the range induced upregulations of tenocyte catabolism [3]. One of mechanotransduction signaling pathways of tenocytes is mediated via cytoskeletal elements [4]. It has been demonstrated that cytoskeletal tension within tenocytes regulated anabolic and catabolic gene expressions in a reciprocal manner [4]. However, the precise relationship between cell metabolism and internal tension within cytoskeletons has not been studied.