In vitro self-assembly of human pericyte-supported endothelial microvessels in three-dimensional coculture: a simple model for interrogating endothelial-pericyte interactions.
J Vasc Res
; 50(4): 324-31, 2013.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23860328
ABSTRACT
We describe a method for coculture of macro- or microvascular human endothelial cells (ECs) and pericytes (PCs) within a 3-dimensional (3-D) protein matrix resulting in lumenized EC cords invested by PCs. To prevent apoptotic cell death of ECs in 3-D culture, human umbilical vein or dermal microvascular ECs were transduced to express the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. To prevent PC-mediated gel contraction, the collagen-fibronectin gel was polymerized within a polyglycolic acid nonwoven matrix. Over the first 24-48 h, EC-only gels spontaneously formed cords that developed lumens via vacuolization; such vascular networks were maintained for up to 7 days. In EC-PC cocultures, PCs were recruited to the EC networks. PC investment of EC cords both limited the lumen diameter and increased the degree of vascular network arborization. Peg and socket junctions formed between ECs and PCs in this system, but dye transfer, indicative of gap junction formation, was not observed. This simple system can be used to analyze bidirectional signals between ECs and PCs in a 3-D geometry.
Texto completo:
1
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Comunicação Celular
/
Neovascularização Fisiológica
/
Pericitos
/
Células Endoteliais
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Microvasos
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Células Endoteliais da Veia Umbilical Humana
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Vasc Res
Assunto da revista:
ANGIOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2013
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos