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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
09:12
Aortic Ring Assay
Published on: November 24, 2009
The aortic ring model of angiogenesis
Alfred C Aplin1, Eric Fogel, Penelope Zorzi
1Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Methods in Enzymology
|September 6, 2008
Summary
This study details an in vitro model using aortic explants to investigate angiogenesis, the process of new blood vessel formation. This method allows for studying the basic mechanisms and testing compounds that affect blood vessel growth.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Vascular Biology
- Biomedical Research
Background:
- Angiogenesis is a complex biological process involving cellular and molecular signaling.
- Understanding angiogenesis is crucial for various physiological and pathological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a reproducible in vitro model for studying angiogenesis.
- To detail protocols for preparing, quantifying, and analyzing aortic explant cultures.
Main Methods:
- Culturing rat or mouse aortic explants in 3D biomatrices.
- Utilizing chemically defined conditions and endogenous growth factors.
- Employing morphologic and molecular techniques for gene expression analysis.
Main Results:
- The aortic explant model successfully recapitulates key stages of angiogenesis in vitro.
- Endothelial cell sprouting and interactions with supporting cells are observed.
- The model allows for the study of gene expression during angiogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Aortic explant culture provides a robust in vitro system to study angiogenesis mechanisms.
- This model is valuable for evaluating proangiogenic and antiangiogenic agents.
- The described protocols facilitate the comprehensive analysis of angiogenic processes.
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