Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels by sprouting from pre-existing ones. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) promotes angiogenesis and is a known inducer of endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a process whereby endothelial cells become fibroblastic and motile. We hypothesize that TGFβ-induced EndMT enables endothelial cells to detach from the mature vessel and migrate to form the sprout that becomes a new vessel during angiogenesis. This study characterized EndMT in response to TGFβ +/- vascular endothelial
growth factor (VEGF). Bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) were stimulated with TGFβ +/- VEGF for prolonged periods. Confocal imaging and immunoblotting analyses revealed the strongest EndMT response at 5 ng/ml of TGFβ after 144 hours of exposure. A three-dimensional
collagen model of angiogenesis revealed a potential relationship between EndMT and blood vessel sprouting. These results suggest that EndMT induction in BAECs requires high concentrations and prolonged exposure to TGFβ and is not significantly influenced by VEGF. / NSERC
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:OGU.10214/3986 |
| Date | 13 September 2012 |
| Creators | Zours, Sonja Charlotte |
| Contributors | Viloria-Petit, Alicia |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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