title: Investigating in vitro angiogenesis by computer-assisted image analysis and computational simulation.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, Section of Anatomy, University of Padova, via Gabelli 65, 35121, Padova, Italy, diego.guidolin@unipd.it.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guidolin
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fede
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Albertin
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Caro
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008954:Models, Biological; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic