Mechanism of a flow-gated angiogenesis switch: early signaling events at cell-matrix and cell-cell junctions.

ABSTRACT: A bias towards angiogenesis from the venous circulation has long been known, but its cause remains unclear. Here we explore the possibility that high interstitial pressure in tumors and the resultant net filtration pressure gradient that would induce flow from the interstitium into the venous circulation or lymphatics could also be an important mechanical regulator of angiogenesis. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that basal-to-apical (B-A) transendothelial flow promotes angiogenesis and to investigate potential mechanisms. Macro- and microvascular endothelial monolayers were cultured on type I collagen gels in a microfluidic cell culture device and subjected to apical-to-basal (A-B) and B-A transendothelial flows. Samples were perfusion fixed and analyzed for morphol

SUBMITTER: Vickerman V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4090039 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature