Fig. 8

In an in vitro system without cells, the orientation of Col fibers along the flow directions. (a)⁹⁰ and FSS can promote the orientation of Col fibrils at a certain size (b)⁹¹ and a certain action time (c)⁹⁰. The fibril density increased with increasing concentrations of Col solution. Confocal reflection microscopy (first row) and atomic force microscopy (second row) images of Col fiber matrices prepared at concentrations of 0.2 mg·mL⁻¹, 0.4 mg·mL⁻¹, and 0.8 mg·mL⁻¹ with a flow rate of 11 mL·min⁻¹ and conditioning time of 5 min (a)⁹⁰. The orientation is optimal at a conditioning time of 10 min (c)⁹⁰. Col fibril self-assembly at 500, 80, 20, and 9 S⁻¹ shear rates, and the arrangement of Col fibrils is optimal at a shear rate of 20–80 S⁻¹ (b)⁹¹. d Degree of Col self-assembly over 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 Pa FSS for 10, 20, 30, 60, 120, and 180 min, respectively¹¹. e Effects of FSS on Col. FSS can promote the orientation of Col fibers with an increasing shear rate within a certain range. In addition to the Col fiber arrangement, FSS can also induce Col fibril expression, making the Col fiber diameter distribution more uniform. Figures adapted with permission from refs. ^11,90,91