Synovium cells obtained from the synovial membranes of porcine knee joints were cultured in DMEM in monolayer. After the cell density reached to 4.0×10^6 cells/dish, 2mM of ascorbic acid 2-phosphate was injected to promote the synthesis of extracellular matrix. Several days to one month after the injection, the synthesized matrix was manually detached from the substratum, and was then allowed active contraction for 1 hours to develop 3DSTs. A cyclic tensile force with the maximum force of 0.01N was applied to the 3DST for 1 hour a day in DMEM in an incubator. Tensile properties and micro structure of the 3DST were determined using a tensile tester and a differential interference contrast microscopy, respectively. Results revealed that the collagen fibers in the 3DST were closely aligned with the direction of tensile force application. The modulus of the 3DST became higher as compared with no-loaded control 3DST. These results suggest that 3DST changes its mechanical properties and structure in response to externally applied tensile force.
