Desmin-positive stellate cells associated with angiogenesis in a tumour and non-tumour system

The angiogenesis induced after implantation of fragments of the Walker 256 carcinoma was compared with the angiogenesis following implantation of different amounts of Indian ink. Morphologically and chronologically the tumour system showed no difference from the Indian ink system, provided sufficient amounts of ink were implanted. Both systems were characterized by significant macrophage infiltration. The vascular development, which was clearly concentrated in a dense rim around the tumour, remained present when the tumour enlarged, suggesting an acquisition of vasculature by the tumour through vessel incorporation and not vessel ingrowth. Initially, scattered desmin-positive cells, in contact or encircled by collagen IV, were found in the developing angiogenic rim. Later many desmin-positive cells were found around vessels and could be identified by electron microscopy as pericytes. They exhibited close local contacts with endothelial cells. After incorporation of the peritumour vascular rim into the tumour the number of pericytes decreased and their shape became flattened and elongated.