How do interactions among endothelial cells result in vascular tube formation?
Tubes: Lumenized vascular tubes are shown in phase contrast (Photo: J. Eglinger).We developed in vitro vascular tube formation assays to manipulate, image and analyze this process at high resolution. Using a small drug screen, we identified signaling proteins that change the morphology of vascular tubes (Eglinger and Lammert, unpublished data). We also delete genes, involved in formation of vascular basement membrane, in endothelial cells of mice (Strilic and Lammert unpublished data). In the latter project, we look at the developing aorta, which is the largest arterial bood vessel in all mammals. The blood vessels of an E9.5 mouse embryo: This SPIM (Single Plane Illumination Microscopy) image shows the developing vasculature of a mouse embryo in three dimensions (Photo: B. Strilic). We now want to understand formation of vascular tubes to uncover information useful for anti-angiogenic cancer and cardiovascular therapy.
