Table 2 Summary of protein expression results assessed between hydrogel conditions. Day 3: fibronectin expression was significantly higher for HMFs encapsulated in stiff as compared to compliant and moderate hydrogels. Collagens I and IV were more highly expressed for HMFs encapsulated in moderate as compared to compliant and stiff hydrogels. α-SMA and vimentin expression were significantly higher for HMFs encapsulated in compliant as compared to moderate and stiff hydrogels. Laminin expression was similar between the hydrogel conditions. Day 5: fibronectin expression was higher and α-SMA was significantly higher for HMFs encapsulated in compliant as opposed to moderate and stiff hydrogels. Collagens I and IV were significantly higher while vimentin was higher for HMFs encapsulated in moderate hydrogels as compared to compliant and stiff hydrogels. Laminin expression was similar between the hydrogel conditions. Day 7: fibronectin, collagen IV and laminin expression was higher for HMFs encapsulated in stiff hydrogels as compared to compliant and moderate hydrogels. α-SMA and vimentin expression were increased for HMFs encapsulated in compliant as compared to moderate and stiff hydrogels. Collagen I expression was similar between the hydrogel conditions. ^* p ≤ 0.05; ^** p ≤ 0.01; ^*** p ≤ 0.001

From: Mechanically tuned 3 dimensional hydrogels support human mammary fibroblast growth and viability