Human endothelial cell microRNA expression in high and low stiffness [RNA-seq]

Purpose: Mechanical homeostasis is a crucial process for endothelial cell (EC) survival and functionality. Cells can sense environmental change and modify the expression of extracellular matrix, focal adhesion and cytoskeleton protein to maintain the correct mechanical homeostasis. In this study, we observed change in mRNA levels linked with mechanical response. ECs were seeded for 48 hour on PDMS 3 kPa and 30 kPa substrate coating with fibronectin to simulate "soft" and "stiff" substrate, then RNA-seq was performed. Endothelial cells (ECs) were seeded for 48h on substrate at 3 and 30 kPa to approximate “soft” and “rigid” tissue, respectively. RNA-seq was performed to establish the mRNA profile in the two conditions.