Figure 7. AGE-FN induces upregulation basement membrane components and associated enzymes. Endothelial cells may respond to a modified substrate by increasing synthesis of matrix proteins and enzymes that remodel the BM. Real-time RT–PCR was used to assess this response. RMECs cultured on AGE-FN displayed significant increases in BM-associated mRNA expression in comparison to RMECs cultured on Native-FN (n=3).