Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026

Preparation of Tunable Extracellular Matrix Microenvironments to Evaluate Schwann Cell Phenotype Specification
Published on: June 2, 2020
Substrate stiffness regulates the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of epidermal cells
Yu Wang1, Guixue Wang, Xiangdong Luo
1Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing Engineering Lab. in Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the role of substrate stiffness on the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of epidermal cells. To investigate the effects of substrate stiffness on wound healing, epidermal cells were chosen and inoculated on silicone substrate with different values of Young's modulus of elasticity. The cell growth curve, MTT method, and cell cycle detection were used to investigate proliferation, and the scratch test was used to investigate cell migration. Fluorescence flow cytometry was used to study epidermal cell differentiation. The proliferation and migration of epidermal cells favoured stiffer surfaces. A highly stiff surface stimulated epidermal cell proliferation and migration and increased re-epithelialisation, but inhibited differentiation. The candidate pathways mediating epidermal cell proliferation and migration are linked to cell anchoring to substrates by integrin-mediated focal adhesion.
Related Concept Videos
Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells
Cells of the Epidermis
The cells in all these layers except the stratum basale are called keratinocytes, a type of cell that manufactures and stores the protein keratin. The keratinocytes in the stratum corneum are dead and regularly slough away, being replaced by cells from...
Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells
Cell Migration
Cell Migration
Stem Cell Niche
