Figure 1.

Schematic of the experimental design. (a) HUVECs were exposed to hypergravity in two-dimensional cultures and then modifications in cytoskeleton organization were analysed. (b) HUVECs were exposed to hypergravity in three-dimensional cultures, and then the number of capillary-like structures was determined. (c) HUVECs were pre-stimulated under hypergravity conditions and then exposed to normogravity (1g) for 24 h, as follows: (i) HUVECs were exposed to hypergravity in two-dimensional cultures, re-seeded in three-dimensional cultures and re-incubated for an additional period of 24 h at 1g; subsequently, the number of capillary-like structures was determined; (ii) HUVECs were exposed to hypergravity in three-dimensional cultures (in condition b) and subsequently re-incubated for an additional period of 24 h at 1g and the number of capillary-like structures was again quantified. (Online version in colour.)