Hypoxia promotes the generation of a versican-rich extracellular matrix by human coronary artery endothelial cells

• Exposure of endothelial cells (HCAECs) to hypoxia alters gene an protein expression • Genes and proteins related to endothelial dysfunction and activation are overexpressed • Hypoxia induces a versican-rich matrix with an altered glycosaminoglycan profile • This modified matrix perturbs cell adhesion but enhances proliferation and hyaluronan binding • Hypoxia upregulates oxidant formation and proteins related to inflammation