The Aortic Ring Assay and Its Use for the Study of Tumor Angiogenesis

Methods Mol Biol. 2016:1464:63-72. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3999-2_6.

Abstract

This chapter describes protocols developed in our laboratory to prepare and analyze angiogenic cultures of rat aorta. Rings of rat aorta cultured in collagen gels produce neovessel outgrowths which reproduce ex vivo key steps of the angiogenic process including endothelial migration, proliferation, proteolytic digestion of the extracellular matrix, capillary tube formation, pericyte recruitment, and vascular regression. The angiogenic response of aortic explants can be stimulated with growth factors or inhibited with anti-angiogenic molecules. Aortic ring cultures can also be used to study tumor angiogenesis. Protocols outlined in this chapter describe how this assay can be modified to investigate the angiogenic activity of cancer cells.

Keywords: Cancer cells; Collagen; Endothelial cells; Neovascularization; Pericytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Aorta / cytology*
  • Aorta / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Coculture Techniques / methods*
  • Collagen / metabolism*
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / pharmacology
  • Models, Biological
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology*
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic
  • Rats
  • Tissue Embedding

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Collagen