Fig. 2.
Matrix stiffness modulates MEC growth and morphogenesis. Phase-contrast and confocal immunofluorescence images of 3D MEC colonies on 3D rBM-crosslinked PA gels of increasing elastic moduli (E = 150–5000 Pa) after 20 days, showing progressively disrupted colony morphology as matrix stiffness increases (top). Cell–cell adherens junctions are disrupted and luminal clearance is compromised with even a modest increase in the elastic modulus of the matrix (E = 1050 Pa central panel; β-catenin and actin). Basal polarity is perturbed (disorganized β4 integrin and absence of basally deposited laminin-5) once the matrix stiffness stiffens appreciably (E > 5000 Pa; right panel). Scale bar is 20μm. Adapted from Paszek et al. (2005).