Fibroblasts are subjected to changes of the mechanical force balance during physiological
as well as pathological situations, such as wound healing, development of hypertrophic
scars, and fibrogenesis. However, the molecular response and the changes in fibroblast
gene expression upon mechanical stimulation remain poorly understood. As an in vitro
model, human dermal fibroblasts were cultured within a three-dimensional network of
fibrillar collagen either under high (stressed) or low tension (relaxed). cDNA microarray …