Figure 4.

Thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) expression and p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation in fibroblasts is enhanced by applied mechanical stimulation. (a). Cells were allowed to contract the collagen matrix for 12 h prior to the application of an external load for a further 12 h. (b) Following gel contraction and mechanical loading cells were recovered from the gels and the levels of protein expression determined by western blot. TSP1 expression and p-ERK activation were significantly increased following mechanical stimulation in both normal and systemic sclerosis (SSc) fibroblasts.