The Open Circulation & Vascular Journal

2011, 4 : 12-17
Published online 2011 May 09. DOI: 10.2174/1877382601104010012
Publisher ID: TOCVJ-4-12

Angiogenesis In Vitro Utilizing Murine Vascular Explants in Miniaturized 3-Dimensional Collagen Gels

May J. Reed , Mamatha Damodarasamy and Robert B. Vernon
Hope Heart Matrix Biology Program, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, 1201 Ninth Ave. Seattle, WA 98101-2795, USA.

ABSTRACT

Models of angiogenesis in vitro are used to study blood vessel morphogenesis and the effects of compounds that influence vascular growth. Herein, we describe techniques to induce angiogenesis-like sprouting from explants of mouse aortae and microvessels cultured in 3-dimensional gels of native type I collagen. The gels are supported by rings of nylon mesh that are sized to fit in 96-well culture plates. This mechanically-supported, miniaturized, 3-dimensional culture system requires only small quantities of cells and reagents and facilitates handling, staining, and imaging by conventional and confocal microscopy.

Keywords:

Mouse, fat, microvessels, aorta, explant, angiogenesis, 3-dimensional, collagen, gel, extracellular matrix, culture.