Open AccessEffects of endothelial cell proliferation and migration rates in a computational model of sprouting angiogenesis
Author(s) -
Kerri-Ann Norton,
Aleksander S. Popel
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
scientific reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.24
H-Index - 213
ISSN - 2045-2322
DOI - 10.1038/srep36992
Subject(s) - angiogenesis , sprouting angiogenesis , cell growth , cell migration , microbiology and biotechnology , vascular endothelial growth factor , endothelial stem cell , arteriogenesis , cell , biology , tortuosity , neovascularization , cancer research , chemistry , vegf receptors , in vitro , biochemistry , organic chemistry , porosity
Angiogenesis, the recruitment of new blood vessels, is a critical process for the growth, expansion, and metastatic dissemination of developing tumors. Three types of cells make up the new vasculature: tip cells, which migrate in response to gradients of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), stalk cells, which proliferate and extend the vessels, and phalanx cells, which are quiescent and support the sprout. In this study we examine the contribution of tip cell migration rate and stalk cell proliferation rate on the formation of new vasculature. We calculate several vascular metrics, such as the number of vascular bifurcations per unit volume, vascular segment length per unit volume, and vascular tortuosity. These measurements predict that proliferation rate has a greater effect on the spread and extent of vascular growth compared to migration rate. Together, these findings provide strong implications for designing anti-angiogenic therapies that may differentially target endothelial cell proliferation and migration. Computational models can be used to predict optimal anti-angiogenic therapies in combination with other therapeutics to improve outcome.