Preparation of Matrices of Variable Stiffness for the Study of Mechanotransduction in Schwann Cell Development.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) elasticity may direct cellular differentiation and can be modeled in vitro using synthetic ECM-like substrates with defined elastic properties. However, the effectiveness of such approaches depends on the selection of a range of elasticity and ECM ligands that accurately model the relevant tissue. Here, we present a cell culture system than can be used to study Schwann cell differentiation on substrates which model the changes in mechanical ECM properties that occur during sciatic nerve development.