Our copolymer system with unvaried surface chemistry and controlled modulus show stiffness alone can change VIC behavior and induce osteoblastic differentiation, indicated by expression of the osteoblastic marker osteocalcin. without increasing aSMA. VIC expression of collagen on the surface of DEGDMA/nOM is significantly higher (8-15 fold) compared to osteoblastic and normal TCPS controls. ECM components are known to influence VIC phenotype and therefore the choice of substrate to invoke the correct ECM protein production in experimental systems is crucial. Interestingly the elastin profile (Fig 2D) and aSMA (data not shown) of our stiffest substrate does not mimic the OB control at day three, suggesting stiffness may cause VIC OB differentiation through an alternative pathway to traditional OB media induction.
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