FIG. 6.

PEGDMA microrods of different stiffness have a varied response on extracellular matrix synthesis and gene expression in 3D gels. Collagens I and VI were downregulated in all microrod cultures. Fibroblasts with stiffer microrods showed downregulation of Cyclin D1, contractility marker α-SMA, and integrin α3. Cultures with soft microrods showed no significant difference on expression of Cyclin D1, α-SMA, and integrin α3 compared to cultures with no microrods. Bars indicate SD and asterisks (*) indicate p < 0.05 (n = 6). Col I, collagen I; Col VI, collagen VI; α-SMA, alpha smooth muscle actin.