Research Paper Volume 13, Issue 2 pp 2231—2250

Figure 4. Matrix stiffness regulates the cellular morphology. (A) hUC-MSCs were cultured on matrix gels with different stiffness of 13-16kPa and 62-68 kPa. Compared with the control group, more cells on 13-16kPa were shaped like round dots on the 1^st day, and like short columnar cells on the 7^th day. On the 14^th day, the morphology of cells was like cardiac muscle cells. Cells on 62-68 kPa were in the shape of polygon on the 1^st day, and were in the shape of long spindle on the 7^th day and the 14^th day. Scale bar = 100μm. (B) Aspect ratio of each group. (C) Area of each group. Both aspect ratio and area of cells on matrix of 13-16kPa were the lowest, and the control were the largest within them. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001. n=3.