Figure 4

Stretch-induced changes in morphology and expression of proteins related to cell stress and exocytotic events. (A) HUVEC cultivated on flexible membranes under static (i – iii) and stretch (iv – vi) conditions were stained for CD31 (green) and actin (red). Cell nuclei were counterstained with Hoechst dye (blue). Scale bar: 15 μm. (B) Quantification of secreted growth factors or inflammatory mediators under both culture conditions detected by ELISA. (C) Comparison of the protein expression levels of cell stress- and angiogenesis-related proteins of stretched and unstretched cells have been investigated by protein array. Results shown are means ± SD.