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Analyzing Vessel Regression and Endothelial Apoptosis as a Component of Angiogenic Vessel Remodeling

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Angiogenesis

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 2441))

Abstract

Angiogenic vessel remodeling is a critical step in establishing a hierarchical vessel network. Vessel networks rapidly expand through angiogenesis in response to pro-angiogenic factors. This leads to an initially dense vessel network that requires selective regression of vessel branches to establish a hierarchical conduit for blood flow, a process known as pruning. This involves migration of endothelial cells from low-flow vessels to adjacent high-flow vessels and generally occurs independently of cell death. Vessels may also regress in response to other stimuli, including reduced metabolic demand, redundancy, and pathological stimuli. In these contexts, widespread vessel regression typically occurs and involves loss of endothelial cells by apoptotic cell death. Thus, vessel remodeling occurs via both apoptosis independent and dependent vessel regression. In this chapter, we outline a semi-automated method for quantifying vessel regression using the neonatal model of angiogenesis. We further provide instruction on analyzing endothelial apoptosis in this model.

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Author notes

  1. Emma C. Watson

    Present address: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Tissue Morphogenesis, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany

  2. Zoe L. Grant

    Present address: Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia

    Lachlan Whitehead, Emma C. Watson & Zoe L. Grant

  2. Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia

    Lachlan Whitehead, Emma C. Watson & Zoe L. Grant

Authors
  1. Lachlan Whitehead
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  2. Emma C. Watson
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  3. Zoe L. Grant
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zoe L. Grant .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

    Andrew V. Benest

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© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

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Whitehead, L., Watson, E.C., Grant, Z.L. (2022). Analyzing Vessel Regression and Endothelial Apoptosis as a Component of Angiogenic Vessel Remodeling. In: Benest, A.V. (eds) Angiogenesis. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2441. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-2059-5_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-2059-5_3

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-0716-2058-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-0716-2059-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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