Study of vascular endothelial cell morphology during hyperthermia

In this paper, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured in vitro were used to observe the hyperthermia effect on the dynamic change of the endothelial cell shape and cytoskeletons. A tumor environment was simulated using the ECM625 gel. Hollow tube-like structures were formed of endothelial cells and their focal adhesions were found fewer than those cultured on gelatin. Intercellular gap size increased significantly during hyperthermia. Results showed that cells in the G0/G1 phase or with fewer nucleoli were thermally less sensitive. This suggests that the efficacy of tumor anti-angiogenesis therapy may be promoted by arresting the endothelial cells in the S/G2 phase and applying hyperthermia simultaneously. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.