Fig. 6

Effect of Flii on collagen contraction and production in fibroblasts and tenocytes. Contraction of tenocyte and fibroblast populated collagen gels was analyzed over 72 h. a–c Representative images of tenocyte populated 3D collagen gels at 72 h post-plating. d–f Representative images of fibroblast populated 3D collagen gels at 72 h post-plating. Scale bar = 2.5 mm and refers to all images. g No significant difference seen in contraction in tenocytes across 72 h. hFlii^+/− fibroblasts have increased cellular contraction over 72 h. *p ≤ 0.05 between Flii^+/− and Flii^Tg/Tg. ^{^}p ≤ 0.05 between Flii^+/− and WT. ⁺p ≤ 0.05 between Flii^Tg/Tg and WT. Data represented as mean ± SEM. n = 6. Confluent tenocytes and fibroblasts from Flii^+/−, WT, and Flii^Tg/Tg mice were left for 48 h in a 2D culture to allow the accumulation of secreted collagen type I. i–k Representative images show no significant difference in collagen type I secretion in tenocytes across all three genotypes. l–n Overexpression of Flii significantly decreased the level of collagen type I secretion in fibroblasts. Magnification × 10, scale bar = 200 μM. o Graphical representation of collagen type I secretion in fibroblasts and tenocytes. Data is represented as mean ± SEM. *p ≤ 0.05, **p ≤ 0.01. n = 6. Confluent fibroblasts and tenocytes from Flii^+/−, WT, and Flii^Tg/Tg mice were left for 48 h in a 2D culture to allow the accumulation of secreted collagen type III. p–r There was no difference seen in collagen type III secretion in tenocytes across all three genotypes. s–u Representative images show that overexpression of Flii significantly increased the level of collagen type III secretion in fibroblasts. Magnification × 10, scale bar = 200 μM. v Graphical representation of collagen type III secretion in fibroblasts and tenocytes. Data is represented as mean ± SEM. *p ≤ 0.05, **p ≤ 0.01. n = 6