FIG. 5.

(A) Immunofluorescence staining for VE-Cadherin on RAEC/CM modules after 14 days in the coculture medium indicated the presence of a confluent layer of RAEC. (B) In contrast, RAEC seeded on CM modules cultured in the high-glucose native CM medium displayed disorganized junctions. (C) Surface-coated RAEC attenuated the electrical responsiveness of modules, as seen by an increase in ET (***p < 0.0001, n = 3) and decrease in MCR (*p < 0.05, n = 3). (D) With external field stimulation, CM-embedded modules coated with RAEC displayed similar contractility when compared to CM-only modules (single modules taken from an aliquot of >30). Contractility was assessed by comparing the en face fractional area change. RAEC, rat aortic endothelial cells. Color images available online at www.liebertonline.com/ten.