Evaluation of Arteriolar Smooth Muscle Cell Function in an Ex Vivo Microvascular Network Model.

ABSTRACT: An emerging challenge in tissue engineering biomimetic models is recapitulating the physiological complexity associated with real tissues. Recently, our laboratory introduced the rat mesentery culture model as an ex vivo experimental platform for investigating the multi-cellular dynamics involved in angiogenesis within an intact microvascular network using time-lapse imaging. A critical question remains whether the vessels maintain their functionality. The objective of this study was to determine whether vascular smooth muscle cells in cultured microvascular networks maintain the ability to constrict. Adult rat mesenteric tissues were harvested and cultured for three days in either MEM or MEM plus 10% serum. On Day 0 and Day 3 live microvascular networks were visualized with FITC conjugate

SUBMITTER: Motherwell JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5438412 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature