Aim: Angiogenic sprouts arise from microvessels formed by endothelial cells (ECs) invested by pericytes (PCs). The aim of this study was to examine the role of PCs in angiogenic sprouting, an understudied phenomenon.
Methods And Results: We adapted a human EC spheroid model to examine PC effects on vascular endothelial growth factor-A-induced EC sprouting in vitro by using Bcl-2-transduced human umbilical vein ECs to reduce apoptosis in collagen gels. Human placental PCs, separated from endothelial spheroids by a transwell, or addition of PC-conditioned media increased EC sprouting primarily through hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Mixed endothelial-PC spheroids formed similar numbers of endothelial sprouts as endothelial spheroids but the sprouts from mixed spheroids were invested by PCs within 24 h. PCs were recruited to the sprouts by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB; inhibition of PDGF signalling reduced PC coverage and increased EC sprouting. Transplanted endothelial spheroids give rise to sprouts in vivo that evolve into perfused microvessels. Mixed endothelial-PC spheroids form similar numbers of microvessels as endothelial-only spheroids, but acquire human PC investment and have reduced average lumen diameter.
Conclusions: PCs promote endothelial sprouting by elaborating HGF, but when recruited to invest endothelial sprouts by PDGF-BB, limit the extent of sprouting in vitro and lumen diameter in vivo.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvt215 | DOI Listing |
Methods Mol Biol
January 2025
Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Spheroid culture systems have been extensively used to model the three-dimensional (3D) behavior of cells in vitro. Traditionally, spheroids consist of a single cell type, limiting their ability to fully recapitulate the complex inter-cellular interactions observed in vivo. Here we describe a protocol for generating cocultured spheroids composed of two distinct cell types, embedded within a 3D extracellular matrix (ECM) to better study cellular interactions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdv Sci (Weinh)
January 2025
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, 44919, South Korea.
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View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Mol Sci
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College of Pharmacy, Sunchon National University, Suncheon 57922, Republic of Korea.
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains a challenging subtype due to its aggressive nature and limited treatment options. This study investigated the potential synergistic effects of Korean mistletoe lectin ( L. agglutinin, VCA) and cisplatin on MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells using both 2D and 3D culture models.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCommun Biol
January 2025
Freie Universität Berlin, Institute for Chemistry and Biochemistry, Thielallee 63, 14195, Berlin, Germany.
Blood vessel formation relies on biochemical and mechanical signals, particularly during sprouting angiogenesis when endothelial tip cells (TCs) guide sprouting through filopodia formation. The contribution of BMP receptors in defining tip-cell characteristics is poorly understood. Our study combines genetic, biochemical, and molecular methods together with 3D traction force microscopy, which reveals an essential role of BMPR2 for actin-driven filopodia formation and mechanical properties of endothelial cells (ECs).
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