HUVEC Tube-formation Assay to Evaluate the Impact of Natural Products on Angiogenesis

J Vis Exp. 2019 Jun 24:(148). doi: 10.3791/58591.

Abstract

Angiogenesis is a phenomenon that includes different processes, such as endothelial cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration, that lead to the formation of new blood vessels and involve several signal transduction pathways. Here we show that the tube formation assay is a simple in vitro method to evaluate the impact of natural products on angiogenesis and to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved. In particular, in the presence of the water extract of Ruta graveolens (RGWE), endothelial cells are no longer able to form a cell-cell network and that the RGWE effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) tube formation is abolished by the constitutive activation of MEK.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Biological Assay / methods*
  • Biological Products / pharmacology*
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / cytology*
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic* / drug effects
  • Ruta / chemistry
  • Rutin / pharmacology

Substances

  • Biological Products
  • Rutin
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases