Substrate Stiffness Combined with Hepatocyte Growth Factor Modulates Endothelial Cell Behavior.

ABSTRACT: Endothelial cells (ECs) play a crucial role in regulating various physiological and pathological processes. The behavior of ECs is modulated by physical (e.g., substrate stiffness) and biochemical cues (e.g., growth factors). However, the synergistic influence of these cues on EC behavior has rarely been investigated. In this study, we constructed poly(l-lysine)/hyaluronan (PLL/HA) multilayer films with different stiffness and exposed ECs to these substrates with and without hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-supplemented culture medium. We demonstrated that EC adhesion, migration, and proliferation were positively correlated with substrate stiffness and that these behaviors were further promoted by HGF. Interestingly, ECs on the lower stiffness substrates showed stronger responses to HGF in t

SUBMITTER: Chang H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5024748 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature