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Sidestream dark field videomicroscopy for in vivo evaluation of vascularization and perfusion of mammary tumours in HER 2/neu transgenic mice
Author(s) -
Damiani Elisa,
Pierpaoli Elisa,
Orlando Fiorenza,
Donati Abele,
Provinciali Mauro
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
clinical and experimental pharmacology and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1440-1681
pISSN - 0305-1870
DOI - 10.1111/1440-1681.12343
Subject(s) - angiogenesis , in vivo , perfusion , mammary gland , medicine , neovascularization , breast cancer , pathology , genetically modified mouse , mammary carcinoma , transgene , cancer research , cancer , chemistry , biology , carcinoma , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , gene
Summary Angiogenesis plays a key role in tumour growth and the formation of metastases. Angiogenesis inhibitors and antivascular agents may prove useful in the treatment of breast cancer. A comprehensive characterization of the vasculature and perfusion of mammary tumours is a prerequisite for developing new specific drugs. We used sidestream dark field videomicroscopy to evaluate in vivo the vascular network of spontaneous mammary tumours in HER 2/neu transgenic mice. The tumour masses showed higher vessel density compared with the healthy mammary gland (median (interquartile range) total vessel density 16.8 (13.4–20.5) vs 9.1 (8.1–10.9) mm/mm 2 , respectively; P < 0.001). Tumor vessel density was reduced in mice treated with the anti‐angiogenesis agent berberine, 12.1 (10.6–13.1) mm/mm 2 . Sidestream dark field imaging is a versatile technique that may be useful for understanding the role of angiogenesis in the progression of breast cancer and its relationship with outcome. It may represent a valuable tool for dynamic monitoring of the effects of new anti‐angiogenesis therapies.