Fig. 3

The effect of adipose tissue extracellular fraction (AT-Ex) on cell migration. Scratch assay with Normal human fibroblasts (NHF) (a) and normal human keratinocytes (NHK) (b) were performed to monitor cell motility in vitro. Both cell types were grown to confluence and starved for 24 h before the monolayer were scratched and then exposed to AT-Ex (2%) or not (control cells; Ctrl). The rate of migration was evaluated after 18 h. The extent of the wound closure is presented as the percentage by which the original scratch width has decreased. Data presented are representative of four independent experiments. c Following 24 h treatment, AT-Ex induces downregulation of connexin-43 (Cx-43) gap junctional protein expression in NHF and increased expression of CD44, a membrane protein associated with augmented cell motility. d Western blot analysis shows increments in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), N-cadherin, and fibronectin proteins. Images are representative of five independent experiments. Nuclei were labeled with bisbenzidine (DAPI). Original magnification 40×. Images are representative of several independent experiments