PUBLICATION

A novel xenograft model in zebrafish for high-resolution investigating dynamics of neovascularization in tumors

Authors
Zhao, C., Wang, X., Zhao, Y., Li, Z., Lin, S., Wei, Y., and Yang, H.
ID
ZDB-PUB-110719-43
Date
2011
Source
PLoS One   6(7): e21768 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Lin, Shuo, Zhao, Chengtian
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation/drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells/drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells/metabolism
  • Humans
  • Indoles/pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Microvessels/drug effects
  • Microvessels/pathology
  • Neoplasms/blood supply*
  • Neoplasms/pathology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic/pathology*
  • Pyrroles/pharmacology
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2/antagonists & inhibitors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2/metabolism
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays*
  • Zebrafish/metabolism*
PubMed
21765912 Full text @ PLoS One
Abstract
Tumor neovascularization is a highly complex process including multiple steps. Understanding this process, especially the initial stage, has been limited by the difficulties of real-time visualizing the neovascularization embedded in tumor tissues in living animal models. In the present study, we have established a xenograft model in zebrafish by implanting mammalian tumor cells into the perivitelline space of 48 hours old Tg(Flk1:EGFP) transgenic zebrafish embryos. With this model, we dynamically visualized the process of tumor neovascularization, with unprecedented high-resolution, including new sprouts from the host vessels and the origination from VEGFR2+ individual endothelial cells. Moreover, we quantified their contributions during the formation of vascular network in tumor. Real-time observations revealed that angiogenic sprouts in tumors preferred to connect each other to form endothelial loops, and more and more endothelial loops accumulated into the irregular and chaotic vascular network. The over-expression of VEGF165 in tumor cells significantly affected the vascularization in xenografts, not only the number and size of neo-vessels but the abnormalities of tumor vascular architecture. The specific inhibitor of VEGFR2, SU5416, significantly inhibited the vascularization and the growth of melanoma xenografts, but had little affects to normal vessels in zebrafish. Thus, this zebrafish/tumor xenograft model not only provides a unique window to investigate the earliest events of tumoral neoangiogenesis, but is sensitive to be used as an experimental platform to rapidly and visually evaluate functions of angiogenic-related genes. Finally, it also offers an efficient and cost-effective means for the rapid evaluation of anti-angiogenic chemicals.
Genes / Markers
Figures
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping