Characterization of Photo-Crosslinked Methacrylated Type I Collagen as a Platform to Investigate the Lymphatic Endothelial Cell Response.

Despite chronic fibrosis occurring in many pathological conditions, few in vitro studies examine how fibrosis impacts lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) behavior. This study examined stiffening profiles of PhotoCol-commercially available methacrylated type I collagen-photo-crosslinked with the photoinitiators: Lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate (LAP), Irgacure 2959 (IRG), and Ruthenium/Sodium Persulfate (Ru/SPS) prior to evaluating PhotoCol permeability and LEC response to PhotoCol at stiffnesses representing normal and fibrotic tissues. Ru/SPS produced the highest stiffness (~6 kilopascal (kPa)) for photo-crosslinked PhotoCol, but stiffness did not change with burst light exposures (30 and 90 s).

Combined effects of matrix stiffness and obesity-associated signaling directs progressive phenotype in PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells .

Obesity is a leading risk factor of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) that contributes to poor disease prognosis and outcomes. Retrospective studies have identified this link, but interactions surrounding obesity and PDAC are still unclear. Research has shifted to contributions of fibrosis (desmoplasia) on malignancy, which involves increased deposition of collagens and other extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules and increased ECM crosslinking, all of which contribute to increased tissue stiffening.

Regulating Lymphatic Vasculature in Fibrosis: Understanding the Biology to Improve the Modeling.

Fibrosis occurs in many chronic diseases with lymphatic vascular insufficiency (e.g., kidney disease, tumors, and lymphedema).