Vascular channel formation by osteosarcoma cells in vitro: Vasculogenic mimicry

Abstract

Objective: To observe whether there is evidence for vascular channel formation by osteosarcoma cellsin vitro and to illustrate mechanism of vasculogenic mimicry in osteosarcoma.Methods: Osteosarcoma cell lines (U-2OS) were tested for their ability to form tubular networks in three-dimensional culture containing type I collagen. The structures of the tubular networks were observed under a phase contrast microscope and an electron microscope.Results: Observation under light microscopy and electron microscopy showed that high aggressive osteosarcoma cells line (U-2OS) formed networks containing channels when grown in three-dimensional culture containing type I collagen in the absence of endothelial cells or fibroblasts.Conclusion: These observations strongly suggest that aggressive osteosarcoma cells may generate vascular channels that facilitate tumor perfusion independent of tumor angiogenesis and have the ability of vasculogenic mimicry.