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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Optimized Fibrin Gel Bead Assay for the Study of Angiogenesis
Published on: April 29, 2007
Matrix-bound fibroblasts regulate angiogenesis by modulation of VE-cadherin
T A Martin1, K Harding, W G Jiang
1Department of Surgery, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, Wales, UK. Martinta1@cf.ac.uk
Background:
Vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin/cadherin-5) has previously been described as playing a specific role in angiogenesis due to its localisation at areas of intercellular contact, where it functions in maintenance of tubular architecture. Matrix-bound fibroblasts have been show to produce a number of factors that are important in inducing angiogenesis and to promote tubule-formation by human endothelial cells, an indicator of angiogenic potential.
Results:
Tubule formation stimulated by fibroblast-derived growth factors can be prevented by the addition of monoclonal antibody to VE-cadherin. In addition, fibroblasts-derived growth factors are able to modulate the expression and hence the regulation of this endothelial cell specific cadherin.
Conclusions:
The change in VE-cadherin expression of human endothelial cells by fibroblast-derived growth factors may contribute to the regulation of angiogenesis.
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