Phenotypic and functional characteristics of tumour-derived microvascular endothelial cells.
We recently developed a method for the isolation and purification of tumour-derived endothelium. In this study the phenotypic and functional properties of human tumour-derived microvascular endothelial cells (TdMEC) were examined. Endothelium obtained from human adrenal gland specimens (HAMEC) was used as a reference microvascular endothelial cell population. TdMEC formed a confluent monolayer with the typical morphological appearance of endothelium and were positive for endothelial markers such as Ulex-1 lectin, CD31 antigen, von Willebrand Factor and VE-cadherin. The addition of acidic Fibroblast Growth Factor (aFGF), basic FGF (bFGF) or Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) substantially improved proliferation of TdMEC; and kidney carcinoma derived endothelial cells were more responsive to FGFs, whereas glioblastoma derived endothelial cells greatly responded to VEGF TdMEC expressed high levels of the VEGF receptors, KDR/flk-1 and Flt-1, as shown by northern blot analysis. TdMEC expressed the adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin that could be further increased by exposing TdMEC culture to interleukin-1. All the TdMEC expressed interleukin-8 mRNA. These findings show that TdMEC in vitro maintain several of the features described for microvasculature. Thus, TdMEC represent a useful tool to study markers for tumor vasculature.
Institute of Microbiology University of Brescia, Italy.
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Alessandri
R G
RG
Chirivi
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Fiorentini
R
R
Dossi
S
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Bonardelli
S M
SM
Giulini
G
G
Zanetta
F
F
Landoni
P P
PP
Graziotti
A
A
Turano
A
A
Caruso
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L
Zardi
R
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Giavazzi
M R
MR
Bani
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D016220:Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 / Q000494:pharmacology; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D037102:Lectins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000494:pharmacology; D008833:Microcirculation; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply*; D010641:Phenotype; D037121:Plant Lectins; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000099152:Cadherin 5
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015820:Cadherins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D016220:Fibroblast Growth Factor 1; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D016209:Interleukin-8; D037102:Lectins; D008222:Lymphokines; D008934:Mitogens; D037121:Plant Lectins; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D000099152:Cadherin 5; C036850:Ulex europaeus lectins