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Vascular Morphogenesis pp 197–214Cite as

Investigating In Vitro Angiogenesis by Computer-Assisted Image Analysis and Computational Simulation

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1214))

Abstract

In vitro assays that stimulate the formation of capillary-like structures by EC have become increasingly popular, because they allow the study of the EC’s intrinsic ability to self-organize to form vascular-like patterns. Here we describe a widely applied protocol involving the use of basement membrane matrix (Matrigel) as a suitable environment to induce an angiogenic phenotype in cultured EC. EC differentiation on basement membrane matrix is a highly specific process, which recapitulates many steps in blood vessel formation and for this reason it is presently considered as a reliable in vitro tool to identify factors with potential antiangiogenic or pro-angiogenic properties. The morphological features of the obtained cell patterns can also be accurately quantified by computer-assisted image analysis and the main steps of such a procedure will be here outlined and discussed. The dynamics of in vitro EC self-organization is a complex biological process, involving a network of interactions between a high number of cells. For this reason, the combined use of in vitro experiments and computational modeling can represent a key approach to unravel how mechanical and chemical signaling by EC coordinates their organization into capillary-like tubes. Thus, a particularly helpful approach to modeling is also briefly described together with examples of its application.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Medicine, Section of Anatomy, University of Padova, via Gabelli 65, 35121, Padova, Italy

    Diego Guidolin Ph.D., Caterina Fede, Giovanna Albertin & Raffaele De Caro

Authors
  1. Diego Guidolin Ph.D.
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  2. Caterina Fede
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  3. Giovanna Albertin
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  4. Raffaele De Caro
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Diego Guidolin Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy

    Domenico Ribatti

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Guidolin, D., Fede, C., Albertin, G., De Caro, R. (2015). Investigating In Vitro Angiogenesis by Computer-Assisted Image Analysis and Computational Simulation. In: Ribatti, D. (eds) Vascular Morphogenesis. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1214. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1462-3_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1462-3_12

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-1461-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-1462-3

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