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Angiogenesis Models
Human skin graft model Epistem has developed a novel approach for the assessment of anti-angiogenic agents based upon human skin xenografts. Following engraftment of human skin, the human endothelium is maintained within the graft. Over 4-12 weeks angiogenesis occurs, increasing the number of human blood vessels. The host species endothelium also migrates into the graft and the number of vessels increase over the same period. Lectin labelling shows that human and host vessels anastamose and reveals a functioning blood vessel system within the graft, composed of both human and host vessels. |  Image: Human skin graft showing CD-31 positive blood vessels (anti-human) |
The effect of therapeutic agents on both human and host angiogenesis can be assessed.
Readouts
- Angiogenesis is measured using CD-31 immunohistochemistry to visualise vascularisation
- Blood vessel number and area are quantitatively measured using the ARIOL® image analysis system .
Future development of this assay will include the allografting of a tumour into the skin graft to measure the effect of tumour driven angiogenesis.
In vitro studies of angiogenesis are undertaken using human endothelial cells, which form a network of anastamosing tubules resembling a capillary bed. The effect of drug on angiogenesis (vessel length and branching) is measured by immunohistochemistry and image analysis.