Matrisome properties of scaffolds direct fibroblasts in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

In this study we have focused on the biomechanical properties of scaffolds (decellularized lung tissue) derived from healthy individuals and IPF patients. The longitudinal cellular response of scaffold repopulation with healthy fibroblasts has been quantified using SILAC-MS. Increased scaffold density and stiffness along with differential expressions of proteins clearly separated and defined ECM proteins descriptive for IPF respective healthy scaffolds. Our study aim to understand the role of the ECM in the development of IPF. We have used proteomics to define intrinsic scaffold ECM proteins descriptive for healthy respective IPF scaffolds. To evaluate whether these mediators directs or rejects profibrotic responses fibroblasts repopulated on healthy and IPF derived scaffolds were cultured in heavy labeled medie (SILAC) to differentiate between preexisting scaffold proteins and newly synthesized proteins. The spatial distribution of unique ECM proteins characteristic for healthy fibroblasts on IPF scaffolds were verified with histological staining.