Probing Mechanisms of Matrix Remodeling During Capillary Morphogenesis using Protease-Selective Hydrogels

摘要

EC-DF co-cultures can organize 3D vascular networks within proteolytically susceptible amorphous scaffolds suggesting that robust initial stiffness and fibrillar structures are dispensable attributes for scaffolds designed to promote angiogenesis. However, plasmin mediated matrix remodeling alone is insufficient to support capillary morphogenesis. Our data suggests that the ability of cells to reorganize their environment toward one suitable for capillary morphogenesis depends on the mechanism of proteolysis.