Abstract B85: Quantification of sprouting angiogenesis under the effect of different growth factors involved in the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Mateos Cristina Del Amo , Zamora Carlos Borau , Lafuente Jesús Asín , Aznar José Manuel García 
Published: March 2017

One of the most important problems in tumor control is the management of metastatic process. Angiogenesis or the formation of new blood vessels from preexisting ones plays a crucial role in the expansion of the tumor by providing oxygen, nutrition and conduits for cancer cells to invade and metastasize new tissues1. Abnormalities of growth factors (GFs) released such as PDGFs (Platelet Derived Growth Factor) could be involved in malignant human diseases2,3. Inflammation and cancer present similar mechanisms of development including angiogenesis or cell proliferation4. In order to know the effect on sprouting promotion of GFs existent in the tumor environment such as VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor), PDGF, BMP2 (Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2) or TGF-β (Transforming Growth Factor-β), we have developed a microfluidic-based test based on devices designed by Farahat et al. (2012)5, which allows to the user the quantification of sprouting formation under the effect of these GFs. TGF-β pathway involved in tumor progression in multiple human cancers, instigates phenotypical changes affecting to the cell growth, differentiation and migration6. Knowing the overexpression of GFs such as VEGF or BMP2 in tumors7,8, we aimed to compare its effect on endothelial cells in angiogenesis. Analyzing the promotion of sprout in normal conditions under GFs addition would be possible to determine which of these molecules could decrease or promote the advance of the endothelial cells. The results obtained in this work indicated that VEGF is the most important factor to enhance the angiogenic process while non-specific factors such as BMP2 or TGF-β show a low effectiveness. In the case of PDGF, the negative effect of this molecule observed in our assays could be explained by the non-optimal balance of concentration. Furthermore, we are currently working to quantify the effect of fluid flow on the sprouting promotion.

Acknowledgments: This research was supported by the European Research Council (ERC) through project ERC-2012-StG 306751, the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (DPI2015-64221-C2-1-R) and the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (FPU13/03194).

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Citation Format: Cristina Del Amo Mateos, Carlos Borau Zamora, Jesús Asín Lafuente, José Manuel García Aznar. Quantification of sprouting angiogenesis under the effect of different growth factors involved in the tumor microenvironment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2016 Oct 20-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2017;5(3 Suppl):Abstract nr B85.