Tensile properties of fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells

Tensile properties of fibroblasts (FBs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of synthetic and contractile phenotypes were studied using a newly developed micro‐tensile tester. FBs were obtained from the rabbit patellar tendon. Synthetic and contractile VSMCs were isolated from the rabbit thoracic aorta with an explant and an enzymatic digestion method, respectively. Each cell was attached to the fine tips of a pair of micropipettes with a cell adhesive and, then, stretched at the speed of 6 μm/sec. Load and length were obtained using a cantilever‐type load cell and a VDA, respectively.

FBs were broken at the load of 0.9 μN and the elongation to failure of 86 μm, and had the stiffness of 0.02 N/m. VSMCs were not broken even at 2.4 μN. The stiffness of synthetic and contractile VSMCs were 0.09 and 0.17 N/m, respectively. Such large different tensile properties among the three cells are attributable to the differences in components and cytoskeletal structures.