Extracellular Stiffness Modulates the Expression of Functional Proteins and Growth Factors in Endothelial Cells. Issue 14 (13th August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Santos, Lívia; Fuhrmann, Gregor; Juenet, Maya; Amdursky, Nadav; Horejs, Christine‐Maria; Campagnolo, Paola; Stevens, Molly M.
• Is Part Of: Advanced healthcare materials. Volume 4:Issue 14(2015)
• Page Start: 2056
• Page End: 2063
• Publication Date: 2015-08-13
• Subjects: angiogenesis -- bone regeneration -- endothelial cells -- extracellular rigidity -- Young's modulus; Biomedical materials -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201500338
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2192-2640

Abstract

Abstract : Angiogenesis, the formation of blood vessels from pre‐existing ones, is of vital importance during the early stages of bone healing. Extracellular stiffness plays an important role in regulating endothelial cell behavior and angiogenesis, but how this mechanical cue affects proliferation kinetics, gene regulation, and the expression of proteins implicated in angiogenesis and bone regeneration remains unclear. Using collagen‐coated polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are exposed to an environment that mimics the elastic properties of collagenous bone, and cellular proliferation and gene and protein expressions are assessed. The proliferation and gene expression of HUVECs are not differentially affected by culture on 3 or 30 kPa PAAm hydrogels, henceforth referred to as low and high stiffness gels, respectively. Although the proliferation and gene transcript levels remain unchanged, significant differences are found in the expressions of functional proteins and growth factors implicated both in the angiogenic and osteogenic processes. The down‐regulation of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐2 protein with concomitant over‐expression of caveolin‐1, wingless‐type 2, bone morphogenic protein 2, and basic fibroblast growth factor on the high stiffness PAAm hydrogel suggests that rigidity has a pro‐angiogenic effect with inherent benefits for bone regeneration. Abstract : Human umbilical vein endothelial cells are cultured on polyacrylamide gels of 3 and 30 kPa. Extracellular stiffness can influence the activation of the endothelial cells and the expression of growth factors implicated in bone regeneration.