Proteomic Profiling of Human Corneal Stromal Cells Cultured on Substrates of Different Stiffness

This project investigates how matrix stiffness regulates protein expression and mechanotransduction in human corneal fibroblasts. Primary corneal stromal cells were cultured on hydrogels with tunable stiffness (1 kPa, 25 kPa, 50 kPa) and on tissue culture plastic (TCP), representing both physiological and fibrotic mechanical environments. Label-free quantitative proteomics (LC–MS/MS) was performed to profile global proteome alterations associated with stiffness-dependent fibrotic activation. The dataset provides a comprehensive resource for understanding mechanosensitive signaling pathways, including the Hippo–YAP/TAZ and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, as well as metabolic and cytoskeletal remodeling in corneal fibrosis.