Abstract
Neovascularization plays a role in several pathological conditions, including tumor growth, arthritis, and choroidal neovascularization. Investigators from different fields can choose from several available angiogenesis assays according to their specific needs. This chapter describes an easy-to-perform assay that is based on the differentiation of endothelial cells and the formation of tube-like structures on an extracellular matrix, Matrigel. The assay can be used to screen compounds for angiogenic activity or to determine if it has an effect on angiogenesis, depending on the conditions chosen. It is a quick assay, easy to set up, and highly reproducible. It can be used to test one or two samples, or it can quickly be scaled up to screen hundreds of compounds. The flexibility that this assay provides makes it a good first choice to test if a compound or a series of compounds may play a role in angiogenesis.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Kubota, Y., Kleinman, H. K., Martin, G. R., Lawley, T. J. (1988) Role of laminin and basement membrane in the morphological differentiation of human endothelial cells into capillary-like structures. J Cell Biol 107, 1589–1598.
Grant, D. S., Kinsella, J. L., Fridman, R.,. (1992) Interaction of endothelial cells with a laminin A chain peptide (SIKVAV) in vitro and induction of angiogenic behavior in vivo. J Cell Physiol 153, 614–625.
Grant, D. S., Kleinman, H. K., Goldberg, I. D.,. (1993) Scatter factor induces blood vessel formation in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 90, 1937–1941.
Cid, M. C., Grant, D. S., Hoffman, G. S., Auerbach, R., Fauci, A. S., Kleinman, H. K. (1993) Identification of haptoglobin as an angiogenic factor in sera from patients with systemic vasculitis. J Clin Invest 91, 977–985.
Ponce, M. L., Nomizu, M., Delgado, M. C.,. (1999) Identification of endothelial cell binding sites on the laminin gamma 1 chain. Circ Res 84, 688–694.
Malinda, K. M.,. Nomizu, M., Chung, M.,. (1999) Identification of laminin alpha1 and beta1 chain peptides active for endothelial cell adhesion, tube formation, and aortic sprouting. FASEB J 13, 53–62.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2009 Humana Press, a part of Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this protocol
Cite this protocol
Ponce, M.L. (2009). Tube Formation: an In Vitro Matrigel Angiogenesis Assay. In: Murray, C., Martin, S. (eds) Angiogenesis Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 467. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-241-0_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-241-0_10
Published:
Publisher Name: Humana Press
Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-907-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-241-0
eBook Packages: Springer Protocols