ObjectiveTo review the research progress on the role and mechanism of matrix stiffness in regulating endothelial cell sprouting. MethodsThe related literature at home and abroad in recent years was extensively reviewed, and the behaviors of matrix stiffness related endothelial cell sprouting in different cell cultivation conditions were analyzed, and the specific molecular mechanism of matrix stiffness regulating related signal pathways in endothelial cell sprouting was elaborated. Results In two-dimensional cell cultivation condition, increase of matrix stiffness stimulates endothelial cell sprouting within a certain range. However, in three-dimensional cell cultivation condition, the detailed function of matrix stiffness in regulating endothelial cell sprouting and angiogenesis are still unclear. At present, the research of the related molecular mechanism mainly focuses on YAP/TAZ, and roles of its upstream and downstream signal molecules. Matrix stiffness can regulate endothelial cell sprouting by activating or inhibiting signal pathways to participate in vascularization. ConclusionMatrix stiffness plays a vital role in regulating endothelial cell sprouting, but its specific role and molecular mechanism in different environments remain ambiguous and need further study.
