Figure 1.

Fabrication of acellular, aligned collagen constructs by cellular compaction and subsequent decellularization. (A) Step-by-step methodology is shown for generating aligned collagen matrices and corresponding control tissues: although the same starting volume of cells and matrix concoction are used for both, the aligned matrices (left panels) reorganize anisotropically whereas the control gels (right panels) are detached from all sides and allowed to compact freely. (B) Immunofluorescence images of nondecellularized and decellularized aligned gels showing efficient lysis and removal of cell debris from the matrix after alignment and (C) quantification of the amount of F-actin and DNA retained in the matrix post-decellularization are shown. Scale bar, 50 μm. Data in (C) are mean ± SE, n = 3 gels/group.