Figure 5. Reversal of the effect of thrombospondin-2 antibody on keratocyte-mediated matrix contraction

Histogram showing that the effects of TSP-2 induced collagen gel contraction inhibition could be reversed following removal of the inhibitor (TSP-2 antibody at final concentration of 20 μg/ml). At day 7, the medium was replaced by either antibody free or antibody containing (20 μg/ml) medium. 3D collagen matrices in which the antibody was not removed at day 7 show that the TSP-2 antibody continues to have an effect on the contraction of the matrices until day 10, whereas when the antibody is removed there is a significant increase in contraction (p<0.01). This experiment also suggests that keratocytes seeded in TSP-2 antibody inhibited 3D collagen matrices remain viable for at least a week. Controls at days 1, 3, 7, and 10 in which no antibody was added are also shown.