Controlled induction of the formation of new microvessels, i.e., therapeutic angiogenesis, may be used one day to treat patients that for example had suffered a myocardial infarction. Experimental models of angiogenesis in the heart in vivo substantially stress the animal. We therefore developed a model of angiogenesis of the heart in vitro, where mouse and rat heart pieces are stimulated under controlled conditions in a three dimensional matrix. Capillary-like sprouts emerging in these cultures represent early to midterm steps of angiogenesis and can be quantified to study potential angiogenic compounds and underlying mechanisms.
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents Angiotensin II