Examination of the role of galectins and galectin inhibitors in endothelial cell biology

Methods Mol Biol. 2015:1207:285-91. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-1396-1_18.

Abstract

The growth of new blood vessels is a key event in many (patho)physiological processes, including embryogenesis, wound healing, inflammatory diseases, and cancer. Neovascularization requires different, well-coordinated actions of endothelial cells, i.e., the cells lining the luminal side of all blood vessels. Galectins are involved in several of these activities. In this chapter we describe methods to study galectins and galectin inhibition in three key functions of endothelial cells during angiogenesis, i.e., endothelial cell migration, endothelial cell sprouting, and endothelial cell network formation.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology*
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Galectins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Galectins / metabolism*
  • Humans

Substances

  • Galectins