Name: a matrigel-based tube formation assay to assess the vasculogenic activity of tumor cells
Uploaded: 2011-09-07T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Matrigel-Based Tube Formation Assay to Assess the Vasculogenic Activity of Tumor Cells at JoVE.com

This work was supported by NCI R01 CA120659 (RS).

1. A Matrigel-Based Tube Formation Assay to Assess the Vasculogenic Activity of Tumor Cells
<ol>
 <li>Preparation of tumor cells and microvascular endothelial cells: brain tumor cells such as U87 cells, melanoma cells B16F1, breast cancer MDA-MB-435, and colon cells HCT116 were grown in DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS and penicillin/streptomycin (all from Invitrogen). Endothelial cell line human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs) were cultured in EBM2 medium (Lonza) supplemented with 1 &mu;g/ml hydrocortisone and...

<ol>
	<li>Shao, R., Guo, X. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Human+microvascular+endothelial+cells+immortalized+with+human+telomerase+catalytic+protein:+a+model+for+the+study+of+in+vitro+angiogenesis.">Human microvascular endothelial cells immortalized with human telomerase catalytic protein: a model for the study of in vitro angiogenesis.</a> Biochemical &#38; Biophysical Research Communications. 321, 788-794 (2004).</li><li>Ribeiro, M. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hemostatic+properties+of+the+SV-40+transfected+human+microvascular+endothelial+cell+line+(HMEC-1).+A+representative+in+vitro+model+for+microvascular+endothelium.">Hemostatic properties of the SV-40 transfected human microvascular endothelial cell line (HMEC-1). A representative in vitro model for microvascular endothelium.</a> Thromb Res. 79, 153-1561 (1995).</li><li>Ades, E. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=HMEC-1:+establishment+of+an+immortalized+human+microvascular+endothelial+cell+line.">HMEC-1: establishment of an immortalized human microvascular endothelial cell line.</a> J Invest Dermatol. 99, 683-690 (1992).</li><li>Shao, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Acquired+expression+of+periostin+by+human+breast+cancers+promotes+tumor+angiogenesis+through+up-regulation+of+vascular+endothelial+growth+factor+receptor+2+expression.">Acquired expression of periostin by human breast cancers promotes tumor angiogenesis through up-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 expression.</a> Molecular &#38; Cellular Biology. 24, 3992-4003 (2004).</li><li>Shao, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=YKL-40,+a+secreted+glycoprotein,+promotes+tumor+angiogenesis.">YKL-40, a secreted glycoprotein, promotes tumor angiogenesis.</a> Oncogene. 28, 4456-4468 (2009).</li><li>Basu, G. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+role+for+cyclooxygenase-2+in+regulating+vascular+channel+formation+by+human+breast+cancer+cells.">A novel role for cyclooxygenase-2 in regulating vascular channel formation by human breast cancer cells.</a> Breast Cancer Research. 8, R69-R69 (2006).</li><li>Scavelli, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vasculogenic+mimicry+by+bone+marrow+macrophages+in+patients+with+multiple+myeloma.">Vasculogenic mimicry by bone marrow macrophages in patients with multiple myeloma.</a> Oncogene. 27, 663-674 (2008).</li><li>El Hallani, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+new+alternative+mechanism+in+glioblastoma+vascularization:+tubular+vasculogenic+mimicry.">A new alternative mechanism in glioblastoma vascularization: tubular vasculogenic mimicry.</a> Brain. 133, 973-982 (2010).</li><li>Maniotis, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vascular+channel+formation+by+human+melanoma+cells+in+vivo+and+in+vitro:+vasculogenic+mimicry.">Vascular channel formation by human melanoma cells in vivo and in vitro: vasculogenic mimicry.</a> American Journal of Pathology. 155, 739-752 (1999).</li><li>Hendrix, M. J., Seftor, E. A., Hess, A. R., Seftor, R. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vasculogenic+mimicry+and+tumour-cell+plasticity:+lessons+from+melanoma.">Vasculogenic mimicry and tumour-cell plasticity: lessons from melanoma.</a> Nature Reviews Cancer. 3, 411-421 (2003).</li><li>Folberg, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tumor+cell+plasticity+in+uveal+melanoma:+microenvironment+directed+dampening+of+the+invasive+and+metastatic+genotype+and+phenotype+accompanies+the+generation+of+vasculogenic+mimicry+patterns.">Tumor cell plasticity in uveal melanoma: microenvironment directed dampening of the invasive and metastatic genotype and phenotype accompanies the generation of vasculogenic mimicry patterns.</a> American Journal of Pathology. 169, 1376-1389 (2006).</li><li>Liu, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prostate-specific+membrane+antigen+directed+selective+thrombotic+infarction+of+tumors.">Prostate-specific membrane antigen directed selective thrombotic infarction of tumors.</a> Cancer Research. 62, 5470-5475 (2002).</li><li>Sood, A. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+clinical+significance+of+tumor+cell-lined+vasculature+in+ovarian+carcinoma:+implications+for+anti-vasculogenic+therapy.">The clinical significance of tumor cell-lined vasculature in ovarian carcinoma: implications for anti-vasculogenic therapy.</a> Cancer Biology &#38; Therapy. 1, 661-664 (2002).</li><li>Shirakawa, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hemodynamics+in+vasculogenic+mimicry+and+angiogenesis+of+inflammatory+breast+cancer+xenograft.">Hemodynamics in vasculogenic mimicry and angiogenesis of inflammatory breast cancer xenograft.</a> Cancer Research. 62, 560-566 (2002).</li><li>Ruf, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Differential+role+of+tissue+factor+pathway+inhibitors+1+and+2+in+melanoma+vasculogenic+mimicry.">Differential role of tissue factor pathway inhibitors 1 and 2 in melanoma vasculogenic mimicry.</a> Cancer Research. 63, 5381-5389 (2003).</li><li>Seftor, R. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cooperative+interactions+of+laminin+5+gamma2+chain,+matrix+metalloproteinase-2,+and+membrane+type-1-matrix/metalloproteinase+are+required+for+mimicry+of+embryonic+vasculogenesis+by+aggressive+melanoma.">Cooperative interactions of laminin 5 gamma2 chain, matrix metalloproteinase-2, and membrane type-1-matrix/metalloproteinase are required for mimicry of embryonic vasculogenesis by aggressive melanoma.</a> Cancer Research. 61, 6322-6327 (2001).</li><li>Shirakawa, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vasculogenic+mimicry+and+pseudo-comedo+formation+in+breast+cancer.">Vasculogenic mimicry and pseudo-comedo formation in breast cancer.</a> International Journal of Cancer. 99, 821-828 (2002).</li></ol>

In order for this assay to succeed, the quality of Matrigel should be tested first. A small sample may be obtained from BD Bioscience to pre-run the assay using HMVECs. Different batch products may display dissimilar qualities in which some lots do not provide an optimal condition for tube formation. Second, any bubbles should be avoided when an aliquot of Matrigel is loaded in 96-well plates, because bubbles can disrupt tubule formation. If tiny bubbles are found in a well, the Matrigel can be immediately moved back to ...

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<th>Name of the reagent</th>
			<th>Company</th>
			<th>Catalogue number</th>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>11995</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FBS</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>16000-044</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Growth factor-reduced Matrigel</td>
			<td>BD Bioscience</td>
			<td>47743-720</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EBM2 kit</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>CC-3156</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nikon ECLIPSE TS100 microscope</td>
			<td>Nikon</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a matrigel-based tube formation assay to assess the vasculogenic activity of tumor cells

Over the past several decades, a tube formation assay using growth factor-reduced Matrigel has been typically employed to demonstrate the angiogenic activity of vascular endothelial cells in vitro1-5. However, recently growing evidence has shown that this assay is not limited to test vascular behavior for endothelial cells. Instead, it also has been used to test the ability of a number of tumor cells to develop a vascular phenotype6-8. This capability was consistent with their vasculogenic behavior identified in xenotransplanted animals, a process known as vasculogenic mimicry (VM)9. There is a multitude of evidence demonstrating that tumor cell-mediated VM plays a vital role in the tumor development, independent of endothelial cell angiogenesis6, 10-13. For example, tumor cells were found to participate in the blood perfused, vascular channel formation in tissue samples from melanoma and glioblastoma patients8, 10, 11. Here, we described this tubular network assay as a useful tool in evaluation of vasculogenic activity of tumor cells. We found that some tumor cell lines such as melanoma B16F1 cells, glioblastoma U87 cells, and breast cancer MDA-MB-435 cells are able to form vascular tubules; but some do not such as colon cancer HCT116 cells. Furthermore, this vascular phenotype is dependent on cell numbers plated on the Matrigel. Therefore, this assay may serve as powerful utility to screen the vascular potential of a variety of cell types including vascular cells, tumor cells as well as other cells.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Matrigel-Based Tube Formation Assay to Assess the Vasculogenic Activity of Tumor Cells at JoVE.com

A Matrigel-Based Tube Formation Assay to Assess the Vasculogenic Activity of Tumor Cells

A tube formation assay is used to evaluate vascular activity of tumor cells.

Over the past several decades, a tube formation assay using growth factor-reduced Matrigel has been typically employed to demonstrate the angiogenic ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

An Assay for Measuring the Activity of Escherichia coli Inducible Lysine Decarboxyase

An Assay for Measuring the Activity of Escherichia coli Inducible Lysine Decarboxyase

Escherichia coli is an enteric bacterium that is capable of growing over a wide range of pH values (pH 5 - 9)1 and, incredibly, is able to survive extreme ...

Clonogenic Assay: Adherent Cells

The clonogenic (or colony forming) assay has been established for more than 50 years; the original paper describing the technique was published in 19561. ...

Ex Vivo Culture of Primary Human Fallopian Tube Epithelial Cells

Ex Vivo Culture of Primary Human Fallopian Tube Epithelial Cells

Epithelial ovarian cancer is a leading cause of female cancer mortality in the United States. In contrast to other women-specific cancers, like breast and ...

Assaying the Kinase Activity of LRRK2 in vitro

Assaying the Kinase Activity of LRRK2 in vitro

Leucine Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) is a 2527 amino acid member of the ROCO family of proteins, possessing a complex, multidomain structure including a ...

Isolation of Immune Cells from Primary Tumors

Tumors create a unique immunosuppressive microenvironment (tumor microenvironment, TME) whereby leukocytes are recruited into the tumor by various ...

A Semi-quantitative Approach to Assess Biofilm Formation Using Wrinkled Colony Development

Biofilms, or surface-attached communities of cells encapsulated in an extracellular matrix, represent a common lifestyle for many bacteria. Within a ...

Endothelial Cell Tube Formation Assay for the In Vitro Study of Angiogenesis

Endothelial Cell Tube Formation Assay for the In Vitro Study of Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is a vital process for normal tissue development and wound healing, but is also associated with a variety of pathological conditions. Using ...

The Soft Agar Colony Formation Assay

Anchorage-independent growth is the ability of transformed cells to grow independently of a solid surface, and is a hallmark of carcinogenesis. The soft ...

Quantitative Immunofluorescence Assay to Measure the Variation in Protein Levels at Centrosomes

Centrosomes are small but important organelles that serve as the poles of mitotic spindle to maintain genomic integrity or assemble primary cilia to ...