Figure 7. Cardiovascular gene expression in ECM-fibrin gels at 21 days.
(A) ECM age and Young’s modulus did not significantly affect the expression of KIT. (B) The endothelial cell marker VWF was significantly down-regulated in 2 kPa neonatal ECM-fibrin gels but significantly up-regulated in 32 kPa adult ECM gels compared to softer conditions. (C) The smooth muscle marker CNN1 was significantly up-regulated in 32 kPa neonatal ECM-fibrin gels compared to 2 kPa fibrin controls and 8 kPa neonatal ECM-fibrin. (D) The cardiac marker TTN was significantly down-regulated in 8 kPa neonatal and adult-based gels. * = significant difference for p < 0.05 (N = 3-4 per condition).