Cyclic strain modulates tubulogenesis of endothelial cells in a 3D tissue culture model.
Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from preexisting capillaries or venules. It occurs in a mechanically dynamic environment due to blood flow, but the role of hemodynamic forces in angiogenesis remains poorly understood. We have developed a unique in vitro system for the investigation of angiogenesis under cyclic strain. In this system, tubulogenesis of vascular endothelial cells in 3D collagen gels occurs under well-defined cyclic strain, which mimics blood-pressure-induced stretch. Using this system, we demonstrate that cyclic strain results in alignment of endothelial-cord-like structures perpendicular to the principal axis of stretch. Such preferential orientation was the most evident in deep and long cord-like structures. This in vitro system, along with the novel findings of strain-modulated endothelial tube morphology, enables the formation of an experimental basis for understanding the role of cyclic strain in the regulation of angiogenesis.
Joung
In Suk
IS
Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, 20 South 2030 East, BPR Room 506, Salt Lake City, 84112, USA.
Iwamoto
Matthew N
MN
Shiu
Yan-Ting
YT
Quam
Cole T
CT
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000166:cytology; D002196:Capillaries / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D002417:Cattle; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002460:Cell Line; D002465:Cell Movement; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology; D004548:Elasticity; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D005782:Gels; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology*; D010507:Periodicity; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000378:metabolism
D000199:Actins; D005782:Gels; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D003094:Collagen