“…Scanning electron micrographs of (A) human umbilical vein endothelial cells, (B) SMCs and (C) dermal fibroblasts cultured on synthetic elastin fibers These types of synthetic elastin hydrogels can be made by chemical cross-linking (Mithieux, Rasko et al 2004), enzyme treatment (Mithieux, Wise et al 2005) or raising the pH (Mithieux, Tu et al 2009) of rhTE solutions (Figure 4). The hydrogels demonstrate mechanical properties that are consistent with native elastin including low elastic moduli, support of attachment and proliferation of dermal fibroblasts (Mithieux, Rasko et al 2004;Rnjak, Li et al 2009;Annabi, Mithieux et al 2010). Increases in hydrogel porosity using high pressure CO 2 or the incorporation of glycosaminoglycans improve cell infiltration into hydrogels (Annabi, Mithieux et al 2010;Tu, Mithieux et al 2010) where the maintenance of fibroblasts within these scaffolds present them as candidate dermal substitutes.…”