Extracellular matrix compression temporally regulates microvascular angiogenesis

Mechanical cues influence tissue regeneration, and although vasculature is known to be mechanically sensitive, little is known about the effects of bulk extracellular matrix deformation on the nascent vessel networks found in healing tissues. Previously, we found that dynamic matrix compression in vivo potently regulated revascularization during bone tissue regeneration; however, whether matrix deformations directly regulate angiogenesis remained unknown. Here, we demonstrated that load initiation time, magnitude, and mode all regulate microvascular growth, as well as upstream angiogenic and mechanotransduction signaling pathways. Immediate load initiation inhibited angiogenesis and expression of early sprout tip cell selection genes, while delayed loading enhanced microvascular network formation and upstream signaling pathways. This research provides foundational understanding of how extracellular matrix mechanics regulate angiogenesis and has critical implications for clinical translation of new regenerative medicine therapies and physical rehabilitation strategies designed to enhance revascularization during tissue regeneration.