title: Strategic Endothelial Cell Tube Formation Assay: Comparing Extracellular Matrix and Growth Factor Reduced Extracellular Matrix.
abstract: Malignant tumors require a blood supply in order to survive and spread. These tumors obtain their needed blood from the patient's blood stream by hijacking the process of angiogenesis, in which new blood vessels are formed from existing blood vessels. The CXCR2 (chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 2) receptor is a transmembrane G-protein-linked molecule found in many cells that is closely associated with angiogenesis(1). Specific blockade of the CXCR2 receptor inhibits angiogenesis, as measured by several assays such as the endothelial tube formation assay. The tube formation assay is useful for studying angiogenesis because it is an excellent method of studying the effects that any given compound or environmental condition may have on angiogenesis. It is a simple and quick in vitro assay that generates quantifiable data and requires relatively few components. Unlike in vivo assays, it does not require animals and can be carried out in less than two days. This protocol describes a variation of the extracellular matrix supporting endothelial tube formation assay, which tests the CXCR2 receptor.
authors: Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics (CMMG), Wayne State University School of Medicine.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Xie
authors: Department of Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine.
authors: Donghong
authors: D
authors: Ju
authors: Department of Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine.
authors: Cecilia
authors: C
authors: Speyer
authors: Department of Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Gorski
authors: Department of Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine; mkosir@med.wayne.edu.
authors: Mary A
authors: MA
authors: Kosir
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019743:Chemokines, CXC / Q000502:physiology; D042783:Endothelial Cells; D005109:Extracellular Matrix; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D019743:Chemokines, CXC; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2