Three-dimensional tissue culture as an experimental model for the evaluation of angiogenic factors

Purpose and Methods: Angiogenesis is the formation of new vessels from preexisting capillaries. Under physiological conditions angiogenesis is a rare event in the adult except in females during their reproductive period, where controlled angiogenesis occurs in the ovary during maturation of the follicle and formation of the corpus luteum and in the uterus during the endometrial secretory phase. During pregnancy angiogenesis occurs in the placenta and the growing mammary glands. Angiogenesis is essential for fertility and to ensure an adequate blood Supply for the growing embryo. In order to improve angiogenesis it is essential to know the underlying molecular mechanisms. We know by now that angiogenesis is controlled by the concerted interaction of a variety of factors (e.g. growth factors, extracellular matrix proteins, and matrix proteases). Here, we present and metabolically characterize an experimental system that allows investigation of individual factors as well as their concerted interaction on the process of terminal cell differentiation. Conclusion: By means of this three dimensional experimental system the function of the extracellular matrix, as it is understood today, is clearly mimicked. It serves as a cellular lattice on the one hand but also as a reservoir for growth factors that are sequestered and released according to the cellular metabolism.