Abstract
We recently developed a method for the isolation and purification of tumour-derived endothelium. In this study the phenotypic and functional properties of human tumour-derived microvascular endothelial cells (TdMEC) were examined. Endothelium obtained from human adrenal gland specimens (HAMEC) was used as a reference microvascular endothelial cell population. TdMEC formed a confluent monolayer with the typical morphological appearance of endothelium and were positive for endothelial markers such as Ulex-1 lectin, CD31 antigen, von Willebrand Factor and VE-cadherin. The addition of acidic Fibroblast Growth Factor (aFGF), basic FGF (bFGF) or Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) substantially improved proliferation of TdMEC; and kidney carcinoma derived endothelial cells were more responsive to FGFs, whereas glioblastoma derived endothelial cells greatly responded to VEGF TdMEC expressed high levels of the VEGF receptors, KDR/flk-1 and Flt-1, as shown by northern blot analysis. TdMEC expressed the adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin that could be further increased by exposing TdMEC culture to interleukin-1. All the TdMEC expressed interleukin-8 mRNA. These findings show that TdMEC in vitro maintain several of the features described for microvasculature. Thus, TdMEC represent a useful tool to study markers for tumor vasculature.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Antigens, CD
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Cadherins / biosynthesis
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Cell Adhesion Molecules / biosynthesis
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Cell Division / drug effects
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Endothelial Growth Factors / pharmacology
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Endothelium, Vascular / cytology*
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Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
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Endothelium, Vascular / physiology*
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Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 / pharmacology
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Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / pharmacology
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Humans
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Interleukin-8 / biosynthesis
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Lectins / biosynthesis
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Lymphokines / pharmacology
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Microcirculation
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Mitogens / pharmacology
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Neoplasms / blood supply*
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Phenotype
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Plant Lectins*
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Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / biosynthesis
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Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / pharmacology
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins / biosynthesis
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / biosynthesis
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Receptors, Growth Factor / biosynthesis
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Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
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Tumor Cells, Cultured
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
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von Willebrand Factor / biosynthesis
Substances
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Antigens, CD
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Cadherins
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Cell Adhesion Molecules
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Endothelial Growth Factors
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Interleukin-8
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Lectins
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Lymphokines
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Mitogens
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Plant Lectins
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Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
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Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins
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Receptors, Growth Factor
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Ulex europaeus lectins
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
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cadherin 5
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von Willebrand Factor
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Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
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Fibroblast Growth Factor 1
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
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Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
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Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1