Tubulogenesis by microvascular endothelial cells is mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in renal cell carcinoma
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 24, 2026

A Matrigel-Based Tube Formation Assay to Assess the Vasculogenic Activity of Tumor Cells
Published on: September 7, 2011
M Nakagawa1, A Emoto, T Hanada
1Department of Urology, Oita Medical University, Japan.
Objective:
To investigate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in tumour angiogenesis in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
Materials And Methods:
The expression of VEGF was examined in tissue samples from 25 patients with RCC using the reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Cellular localization of VEGF was studied in normal kidney and RCC tissues. Tube formation by human omental microvascular endothelial (HOME) cells co-cultured with A498 RCC cells was quantified in a three-dimensional collagen gel using computer-image analysis.
Results:
RT-PCR detected VEGF m-RNA in tissue from 20 of 25 patients with RCC. An immunohistochemical study revealed that VEGF was primarily localized in the cytosol of normal renal tubule cells and RCC cells. Tube formation by HOME cells was increased in the presence of A498 cells overexpressing VEGF mRNA, induced by exogenous VEGF in a dose-dependent manner and completely inhibited by an anti-VEGF antibody.
Conclusion:
VEGF, which is produced and released from RCC cells, may elicit tumour angiogenesis by inducing microvessel tubulogenesis in patients with RCC. The co-culture system may be useful for screening inhibitors of tumour angiogenesis in RCC.
Related Concept Videos
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
The Tumor Microenvironment
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
Mechanism of Angiogenesis
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

