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VESGEN 2D: Automated, User‐Interactive Software for Quantification and Mapping of Angiogenic and Lymphangiogenic Trees and Networks
Author(s) -
Vickerman Mary B.,
Keith Patricia A.,
McKay Terri L.,
Gedeon Dan J.,
Watanabe Michiko,
Montano Monica,
Karunamuni Ganga,
Kaiser Peter K.,
Sears Jonathan E.,
Ebrahem Quteba,
Ribita Daniela,
Hylton Alan G.,
ParsonsWingerter Patricia
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the anatomical record: advances in integrative anatomy and evolutionary biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.678
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1932-8494
pISSN - 1932-8486
DOI - 10.1002/ar.20862
Subject(s) - vascular endothelial growth factor , angiogenesis , tortuosity , biology , anatomy , computer science , biomedical engineering , vegf receptors , medicine , materials science , genetics , cancer research , composite material , porosity
Quantification of microvascular remodeling as a meaningful discovery tool requires mapping and measurement of site‐specific changes within vascular trees and networks. Vessel density and other critical vascular parameters are often modulated by molecular regulators as determined by local vascular architecture. For example, enlargement of vessel diameter by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is restricted to specific generations of vessel branching (Parsons‐Wingerter et al., Microvascular Research72: 91, 2006). The averaging of vessel diameter over many successively smaller generations is therefore not particularly useful. The newly automated, user‐interactive software VESsel GENeration Analysis (VESGEN) quantifies major vessel parameters within two‐dimensional (2D) vascular trees, networks, and tree‐network composites. This report reviews application of VESGEN 2D to angiogenic and lymphangiogenic tissues that includes the human and murine retina, embryonic coronary vessels, and avian chorioallantoic membrane. Software output includes colorized image maps with quantification of local vessel diameter, fractal dimension, tortuosity, and avascular spacing. The density of parameters such as vessel area, length, number, and branch point are quantified according to site‐specific generational branching within vascular trees. The sole user input requirement is a binary (black/white) vascular image. Future applications of VESGEN will include analysis of 3D vascular architecture and bioinformatic dimensions such as blood flow and receptor localization. Branching analysis by VESGEN has demonstrated that numerous regulators including VEGF 165 , basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor β‐1, angiostatin and the clinical steroid triamcinolone acetonide induce ‘fingerprint’ or ‘signature’ changes in vascular patterning that provide unique readouts of dominant molecular signaling. Anat Rec, 292:320–332, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.