Figure 5: Molecular pathway activation of vascular morphogenesis within HI hydrogels. | Nature Communications

Figure 5: Molecular pathway activation of vascular morphogenesis within HI hydrogels.

From: Hypoxia-inducible hydrogels

Figure 5

Real-time RT-PCR analysis of gene expression of ECFCs encapsulated within the different hydrogel types: (a) HIFs, (b) MMP genes and (c) angiogenic genes. (d) Inhibition of vascular morphogenesis of ECFCs by siRNA HIFs suppression. Fluorescence microscopic images after 3 days in culture show that siRNA suppression of HIF-1α and/or HIF-2α affects vascular morphogenesis. Scale bars, 50 μm. (e) Real-time RT-PCR analysis of MT1-MMP gene expression of ECFCs treated with HIF-1α and/or HIF-2α siRNA and encapsulated within the HI gel after 24 h of culture. (f) Inhibition of vascular morphogenesis of ECFCs by siRNA MT1-MMP suppression. Light microscopy images after 3 days in culture show that siRNA suppression of MT1-MMPs affect vascular morphogenesis. Scale bars, 25 μm. Results in a–c,e are shown as the average values±s.d. Significance levels were set at *P<0.05, **P<0.01 and ***P<0.001.

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