Assays for angiogenesis: a review

Accurate, reliable quantitation of the neovascular (angiogenic) response, both in vitro and in vivo, is an essential requirement for the study of new blood vessel growth. Over many years, ingenious ways have been developed for measuring this process, and they have contributed much to our present understanding of the vasculogenesis and angiogenesis that accompany normal embryonic development, lactation and wound healing, as well as tumor growth and a variety of other disease states ranging from diabetic retinopathy to autoimmune vasculitis. In this review we describe and evaluate the methodology and specific features of some of the most frequently used of these assays.