Animal Models of Angiogenesis and Lymphangiogenesis

Abstract

Blood and lymphatic vessels are present in all tissues, and play important roles for their function, homeostasis and maintenance. Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, is therefore highly important during development, but is largely not observed in the adult, except for during the female reproduction cycle and during wound healing. In pathological situations, however, angiogenesis may be turned on, and in this case contribute to the onset and progression of most severe human pathologies characterized by high mortality, including cancer, diabetes, obesity and retinopathies (Carmeliet, 2003) or is insufficiently activated such as in the case of myocardial infarction and stroke (Y Cao et al, 2005). Thus, angiogenesis is one of the largest and fastest evolving areas of research today. Angiogenesis is a highly complicated process, involving many different cell types, and it is therefore highly recommended that researchers use in vivo animal models for their studies. Accordingly, today there are many in vivo models available. The aim of this chapter is to give insights into the most commonly used in vivo angiogenesis models in both mice and zebrafish. We will provide detailed descriptions and discussions of the adipose tissue-, tumor-, ischemic hind limbwound healingand corneal micropocket angiogenesis models in mice and developmental-, tumor-, hypoxia-induced retinaland regenerating tail fin angiogenesis models in zebrafish. We will provide a base for comparison between the different assays to quickly identify which model is best suited for a particular research focus.