Figure 5.

EC stimulate ASC to contract the matrix via follistatin and the ALK4, ALK5, and ALK7 receptors. Surface area when cultured in the absence or presence of 2 μM (+) or 10 μM (++) ALK‐inhibitor SB431542 or 0.5 ng/ml (+) rh‐follistatin, relative to surface area at time 0. Statistical analysis was performed using t‐tests or repeated measures one‐way ANOVA. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01. Data are shown for four donors as mean ± SEM. A‐EC, adipose‐endothelial cells; ASC, adipose‐tissue derived mesenchymal stromal cells; D‐EC, dermal‐endothelial cells; Fib, fibroblasts