Tumor spheroid-induced vesicle formation on endothelial cells is associated with procoagulant properties

Fibrin deposits in tumor beds are an intriguing phenomenon. It has been suggested that fibrin plays a role as a provisional matrix in which the tumor grows and induces development of a vascular network. On the other hand fibrin possibly protects the tumor nodule from host defense mechanisms. We therefore investigate whether tumor cells can induce a procoagulant response in endothelial cells leading to fibrin formation. For our studies we employed a modification of the matrix model of Montesano in which sprouting of endothelial cell aggregates can be followed. This system allows us to study in vitro the involvement of coagulation in tumor growth and angiogenesis. Cocultures of endothelial cell aggregates and avascular tumor spheroids in collagen type I gels results in the appearance of extracellular vesicle-like structures on the endothelial sprouts. The vesicles formed on endothelial cell sprouts upon coculturing with tumor cells exhibit an increased amidolytic activity, suggestive of factor X/Xa activity, not dependent on tissue factor exposure. Experiments using HgCl2 and Iodoacetamide point to the importance of SH groups in the factor X/Xa activity on endothelial cell sprouts.