Author Spotlight: Investigating Angiogenesis Through Challenges and Innovations in Assay Development

Angiogenesis is a hallmark process involved in embryology and in disease development, including tumor growth and vasoproliferative eye disease. In this project, we aim to present a comprehensive framework of in vitro techniques that can be used to study angiogenesis on a molecular level in a very controlled setting, and to screen for potential therapeutic options. Translating in vitro to in vivo and ultimately to the clinical setting is challenging due to the risk of false positive or false negative results.

Selecting the right angiogenesis assay is therefore crucial and knowing its limitations. This study aims to offer guidelines in how to interpret and how to establish two common angiogenesis assays. Recently, we compared a 2D scratch wound migration assay with a 3D spheroid sprouting assay.

While the 2D assay is easily scalable, the 3D assay captures angiogenesis in greater detail, including tip stalk cell formation, matrix interaction, and the glycolytic switch. This data offer a scientists guidelines on which assay to choose next in their projects. Our laboratory will continue to characterize key aspects of the presented in vitro assays by directly comparing them to in vivo settings in order to facilitate translations of in vitro results to clinical applications.