Extracellular matrix stiffness modulates angiogenic properties of the retinal pigment epithelium.

ABSTRACT: Physiological and pathological processes, such as aging and basal deposit aggregation in degenerative retinal diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD), alter the mechanical properties of Bruch's membrane (BrM). These mechanical changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) significantly affect retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, influencing their morphology, transcriptome and angiogenic behavior. ARPE-19 cells were cultured on hydrogels of physiological stiffness (30 and 80 kPa) and on conventional tissue culture plastic (TCP) for comparison. Gene expression was analyzed by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), while protein-level changes were examined using immunofluorescence (IF), Western blotting (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Stiffness-dependent modulation of e

SUBMITTER: Wolfram L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12627602 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature