Static and dynamic nanomechanical properties of human skin tissue using atomic force microscopy: Effect of scarring in the upper dermis

• Published in: Acta biomaterialia Vol. 8; no. 11; pp. 4123 - 4129
• Main Authors: Grant, C.A., Twigg, P.C., Tobin, D.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2012
• Subjects: Atomic force microscopy; Biomechanical Phenomena; Cicatrix - pathology; Creep indentation; dermis; Dermis - pathology; Elasticity; energy; Humans; image analysis; Male; Microscopy, Atomic Force - methods; Middle Aged; Nanostructures - chemistry; Nanostructures - ultrastructure; Scar tissue; Skin; Viscoelasticity; Viscosity; Viscoelasticity; Atomic force microscopy; Skin; Scar tissue; Creep indentation
• ISSN: 1742-7061; 1878-7568
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2012.06.042

Following traumatic injury, skin has the capacity to repair itself through a complex cascade of biochemical change. The dermis, which contains a load-bearing collagenous network structure, is remodelled over a long period of time, affecting its mechanical behaviour. This study examines the nanomechanical and viscoelastic properties of the upper dermis from human skin that includes both healthy intact and scarred tissue. Extensive nanoindentation analysis shows that the dermal scar tissue exhibits stiffer behaviour than the healthy intact skin. The scar skin also shows weaker viscoelastic creep and capability to dissipate energy at physiologically relevant frequencies than the adjacent intact skin. These results are discussed in conjunction with a visual change in the orientation of collagenous fibrils in the scarred dermis compared with normal dermis, as shown by atomic force microscopy imaging.