Effects of cyclic mechanical stretch on extracellular matrix synthesis by human scleral fibroblasts.

ABSTRACT: In order to understand the effect of mechanical strain on scleral extracellular matrix remodeling, human scleral fibroblasts were subjected to equibiaxial stretch in vitro and the expression of proteoglycans, metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) were evaluated. Isolated human scleral fibroblasts were seeded onto flexible bottom culture plates, and subjected to a cyclic stretch regimen of 15% equibiaxial stretch for 45 s followed by 15s of rest for 6-48 h in the presence of 35SO4. Newly synthesized proteoglycans were measured in the medium by CPC precipitation of radiolabelled glycosaminoglycans. MMP-2 activity and expression levels were measured in the medium by, Western blot, gel zymography and real-time PCR. Steady state levels of TIMP-2 mRNA and

SUBMITTER: Shelton L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2583333 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature