seeded on FMOC-RGD substrates were cultured for 2 days. After this
time, control cells were cultured in standard culture media while
test samples were incubated with 0.1 mg/mL elastase for 24 and 48
h. Colocalization of BMPR1A with the integrins β1 and β5
was performed using immunocytochemistry in the previous section. After
fixation, samples were incubated with a primary antibody cocktail
consisting of rabbit polyclonal anti-BMPR1A (Thermo Scientific; 1:50),
mouse monoclonal anti-integrin β1 (Thermo Scientific; 1:50),
and mouse anti-integrin αvβ5 (R&D system, 1:50) in
1% of BSA/PBS. Secondary antibodies were Texas red anti-mouse (Vector
Laboratories; 1:50) for integrin β1 and β5 and biotinylated
anti-rabbit (Vector laboratories) conjugated with FITC for BMPR1A.
Cells imaged for colocalization of BMPR1A with integrin β1
and β5 were visualized using a Zeiss Axiophot fluorescence microscope
at 40× magnification (0.75 NA). Images were captured using an
Evolution QEi digital monochromatic CCD camera (Media Cybernetics,
USA) with Qcapture imaging software.