EFFECTS OF EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX ON LYMPHANGIOGENESIS in vitro / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

Objective In order to investigate effects of extracellular matrix on lymphangiogenesis. Methods Endothelial cells of canine thoracic duct were incubated in type I collagen gel and on Matrigel basement membrane matrix gel.Morphologic changes of endothelial cells and tube formation were observed under phase contrast microscope,structures of lymphaticlike channels were observed with transmission electron microscope,tube formation was quantified by measuring the length and area of tubes with image analyzer. Results Lymphatic endothelial cells on type Ⅰ collagen gel grew to confluent monolayers,no tubes were found.The cells underwent morphologic changes and reorganized into lymphaticlike tubes when the cells were covered with the top gel layer.Tubes of heparin\|treated dishes were more than that of the control dishes,tubes of dishes treated with heparin and bFGF together were more than that of dishes treated with heparin or bFGF alone.Endothelial cells on Matrigel basement membrane matrix gel migrated into the upper part of the gel and formed tubes.The tubes were thin,the cells became long.The tubes were in traction obviously.In ultrathin sections,tubes formed by lymphatic endothelial cells represented morphologic characteristics of lymphatic capillary.The lymphaticlike tubes contained matrix.Conclusion\ Endothelial cells of canine thoracic duct reorganized into lymphaticlike channels in type Ⅰ collagen gel and Matrigel basement membrane matrix gel.Extracellular matrix plays important roles in morphological changes and migration of lymphatic endothelial clells and lymphangiogenesis.\;[