Mechanical regulation of anterior cruciate ligament cell function and gene activity

Two different experiments were used to investigate the healing behavior and gene expression of ligament fibroblasts from the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament under mechanical strain. These studies were performed in order to understand the role mechanical stimulation has on ligament cells. An artificial wound was used to examine the rate of cell migration and cell healing under equibiaxial strain at low frequencies. For the gene activity experiments, the cells were subjected to equibiaxial strain but with high frequency on a flexible growth surface. The levels of mRNA encoding collagen I and III proteins were determined.