Directed In Vivo Angiogenesis Assay

DIVAA is the first in vivo system for the study of angiogenesis that provides quantitative and reproducible results. During the course of the assay, implant grade silicone cylinders closed at one end, called angioreactors, are filled with 20 μl of Cultrex Basement Membrane Extract (BME) premixed with or without angiogenic-modulating factors. These angioreactors are then implanted subcutaneously in the dorsal flank of nude mice. Accompanied with the onset of angiogenesis, vascular endothelial cells proceed to grow into the BME and form vessels in the angioreactor. As early as nine days post-implantation, there are enough cells to determine an effective dose response to angiogenic modulating factors. The sleek design of the angioreactor provides a standardized platform for reproducible and quantifiable in vivo angiogenesis assays. Compared to the plug assay, the angioreactor prevents assay errors due to absorption of the basement membrane extract by the mouse. In addition, the angioreactor uses only a fraction of the materials conserving both BME and test compounds used, and up to four angioreactors may be implanted in each mouse, allowing for greater statistical power. DIVAA has been used in a variety of investigations.