Figure 4.

The functional contribution of HA to ciGEnC barrier properties. A: ciGEnCs were grown on tissue culture inserts or on 96-well ECIS arrays, and the electrical resistance was measured. Cells were then treated with hyaluronidase for 1 hour at 37°C or with HA (ECIS only); the electrical resistance was measured again and normalized to serum-starved conditions. B: The passage of FITC-labeled BSA across the monolayer was then monitored for two consecutive hours. The fluorescence intensity of the aliquots was quantified, and data were expressed as cumulative FITC-BSA over time. C: Monolayer integrity of ciGEnCs, at the doses of hyaluronidase shown in A and B, was assessed by VE-cadherin immunostaining. D: On the ECIS arrays, HA or vehicle was added directly to the monolayer, and resistance was measured in real time over 24 hours. Data are expressed as means ± SEM. A and D analyzed by one way ANOVA (overall P < 0.001 and P < 0.0001 respectively) and B analysed by repeated measures ANOVA (overall P < 0.0001). Bonfferoni post hoc tests indicated on graphs. ^∗P < 0.05, ^∗∗∗P < 0.001.