Somatostatin Receptors in Growing Vascular Endothelial Cells
Author Information
Author(s): Watson J C, Balster D A, Gebhardt B M, O'Dorisio T M, O'Dorisio M S, Espenan G D, Drouant G J, Woltering E A
Primary Institution: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
Hypothesis
Non-proliferating human vascular endothelial cells would not express somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (sst 2) and that this receptor would be expressed when the endothelial cells begin to grow.
Conclusion
The study found that sst 2 gene expression occurs in proliferating angiogenic sprouts of human vascular endothelium.
Supporting Evidence
- 50–75% of cultured vein disks developed radial capillary growth within 15 days.
- Sst 2 gene expression was confirmed by RT-PCR analysis.
- The presence of sst 2 receptors was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining and in vivo scintigraphy.
Takeaway
The researchers looked at blood vessel cells and found that a specific receptor shows up when these cells start to grow, which could help in developing new cancer treatments.
Methodology
Placental veins were harvested and cultured in fibrin gels, followed by morphometric analysis and RT-PCR for gene expression.
Participant Demographics
Human placentas were used for the study.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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