AIE gene expression regulation by biomechanical stress. Real time RT-PCR revealed changes in transcript levels. (A) Fold change of MMP-2 and elastin after 48h. Sciellin transcripts increase significantly after prolonged cyclic strain of 48h and 72h (B), as do periplakin and SPRR3 (C, D). No statistically significant increase was seen for galectin 7, plakoglobin, or envoplakin (E, F, G). *P≤.05; NS: No Cyclic Strain.