Methods for Studying the Role of ADAMTS13 in Angiogenesis

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motifs, member 13 (ADAMTS13), cleaves ultra-large (UL) von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimers released from endothelium, which prevents platelet adhesion and aggregation at the site of vascular injury. Beyond the hemostatic function, ADAMTS13 has also been found to play a role in angiogenesis. We utilized angiogenesis assays to measure the ability of ADAMTS13 to stimulate or inhibit new blood vessel formation. This chapter describes methods for in vitro and organ culture assays used to characterize the angiogenic properties of ADAMTS13 metalloprotease. These methods may be applicable to explore angiogenesis in other soluble proteins.