Angiogenesis

To support companies and academic laboratories in the development of angiogenic or inhibitory compounds, MDS offers an integrated series of in vitro and in vivo angiogenesis assays.

Angiogenesis is important in normal biological processes such as development and wound healing. In adults, angiogenesis is generally a response to increased tissue mass, alterations in oxygen tension or both. This change in tissue mass or oxygen tension can be the result of a tumor. Angiogenesis plays a key role in tumor growth and development since blood vessels are required to maintain oxygen homeostasis, deliver nutrients and remove waste products.

In Vitro Assays

• Capillary Formation on 3D Collagen Matrix
• Capillary Formation on Other Matrices (Matrigel)
• Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell (HUVEC) Stimulation on Plates
• Bovine Capillary Endothelial Cell (BCE) or Other Type of Bovine Endothelial Cell (e.g., BAE, BME) Stimulation on Plates
• Human Lung Endothelial Cell Proliferation
• Rabbit Endothelial Primary Cell Proliferation
• Cell Proliferation
• Cell Migration
• Ex -vivo Vascular Sprouting Assay

Chemotaxis / Cell Migration

Human vascular endothelial cell culture (HUVEC) populations are very responsive to compounds that modulate angiogenic response. Pro-angiogenic compounds promote increased growth and differentiation rates in these cells. Activated endothelial cells become highly chemotactic. We can evaluate the effect of compounds on the growth rate of HUVEC cells and, by using Boyden chambers, a compound's ability to induce migration through a defined matrix.

Angiogenesis (In Vivo):

• Mouse Matrigel
• Rabbit Ischemia
• Chick Embryo
• Rabbit Carotid Re-endothelialization

Tumor Models

• Tumors are generated by injection of appropriate tumor cells into C57BL mice (mouse tumors) or into immune-compromised SCID or nude mice (human tumors)
• Ten mice for each compound (1 dose) and vehicle control
• Treatments are given daily (SC or IP) or as instructed by the client
• Typical treatments continue for 2-4 weeks
• Data collected includes tumor volume (mm³), tumor weight at the end of study and histology sections (if requested by the client).
• Several tumor lines (mouse and human) are already available at MDS
• Clients would have to provide unique lines.