Biochemical and Biomechanical Properties of the Extracellular Matrix Regulate Lipedema

Adipose stromal cells from healthy or lipedema donors were analyzed to better understand the pathological biochemical and biomechanical properties of the extracellular matrix that may underly this disease. This ongoing study has focused on the qualification of the proliferation and inflammatory response of adipose stromal cells cultured on polydimethylsiloxane with a tunable stiffness range of 150-900 kPa. Tissue chips were fabricated using different combinations of extracellular matrix proteins immobilized onto polydimethylsiloxane, including combinations of collagen, fibronectin, and laminin. Afterwards, the adipose stromal cells were seeded on tissue chips to monitor changes in cellular morphology and behavior. Changes were monitored using fluorescent dye that stains for F-actin cytoskeletal features and then analyzed using cell profiler. The findings will help continue the understanding pathology of lipedema for translation medicine in the future.