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An in vitro model of intussusceptive angiogenesis
Author(s) -
Levin Max,
Ewald Andrew,
McMahon Martin,
Werb Zena,
Mostov Keith
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.4.a31
Subject(s) - angiogenesis , vasculogenesis , sprouting angiogenesis , mural cell , microbiology and biotechnology , sprouting , in vitro , chemistry , neovascularization , endothelial stem cell , biology , cancer research , botany , biochemistry
Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from existing ones, occurs in two different ways, outwards by sprouting angiogenesis and inwards by intussuceptive angiogenesis. Both types of angiogenesis involve the interaction between endothelial cells and mural cells (pericytes or smooth muscle cells). We set up two co‐culture models; a vasculogenesis/sprouting angiogenesis‐like model and an intussuceptive angiogenesis‐like model. In both models, smooth muscle cells were grown to confluence and then endothelial cells were added on top. With a low density of endothelial cells, endothelial cells aggregated into chords that subsequently formed lumen‐containing vascular tubes, reminiscent of vasculogenesis/sprouting angiogenesis. With a high density of endothelial cells, an endothelial monolayer was formed on top of the smooth muscle cells. This endothelial monolayer subsequently underwent folding and pillar formation in an intussusceptive angiogenesis‐like manner. Interestingly, intussusceptive like folding of the endothelial monolayer was completely inhibited by the broad spectrum MMP inhibitor BB94. In conclusion, we have developed an in vitro model of intussusceptive angiogenesis. In this model, MMP inhibition blocks intussusceptive‐like pillar and fold formation.