Skip to main content
. 2022 May 6;12:7419. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-11407-1

Figure 3.

Figure 3

Effects of ROCK-is on physical properties, the mean sizes and stiffness of 3D spheroids of human corneal stroma fibroblasts (HCSFs) in the presence of ROCK inhibitors. In the absence or presence of 1 μM or 10 μM ROCK-is, ripasudil (Rip), or KD025, the mean sizes of 3D HCSFs spheroids were measured in triplicate using fresh preparations consisting of 16 organoids each during the 6-day culture period were plotted (A) and those at Day 6 were compared among the experimental groups (B), and phase contrast images are shown (C). Alternatively, using a micro-squeezer, the physical stiffness of a single living 3D HCSFs spheroid at Day 6 was measured during a 20 s period (D, O; 3D spheroid, P; compressing plate, S; pressure sensor) in the absence or presence of 1 μM or 10 μM ROCK-is, ripasudil (Rip) or KD025 (n = 15–20 freshly prepared 3D spheroids under each experimental condition). The force (μN) required to induce a 50% deformity was calculated and force/displacement (μN/μm) values were plotted in (E). Data are presented as the arithmetic mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.005, ****P < 0.001 (ANOVA followed by a Tukey’s multiple comparison test).