Implementation of intussusceptive microvascular growth in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM)

Intussusceptive microvascular growth (IMG) is a new mechanism of capillary growth: The vascular network expands by insertion of newly formed columns of interstitial tissue (interstitial tissue structures) into the vascular lumen called tissue pillars or posts (diameter: 0.5-2.5 microm). IMG has so far been described during organ development and growth and in tumor angiogenesis. Different modes of its implementation could be demonstrated in the rat lung and the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). In the present investigation a further mechanism of IMG is reported in the chicken CAM: tissue pillars form by splitting of larger interstitial tissue structures and intercapillary walls located between neighboring capillary segments which will consecutively fuse. Splitting is dependent on the existence of a pillar's core composed of a bundle of collagen fibrils ensheathed by extensions of endothelial-like cells inside these structures. Pillar cores thus represent the smallest unit of interstitial tissue around which the vascular lumen might expand. This mode of IMG is obviously connected to physiological remodeling of the capillary network and appears to be dominant during later stages of CAM development.