A wide range of research methods for the study of vascular development, from basic laboratory protocols to advanced technologies used in clinical practice, are covered in this work. A range of methodologies such as molecular imaging platforms and signalling analysis, along with tumour models are collated here. Four sections explore in vitro techniques, in vivo and ex vivo manipulations, imaging and histological analysis and other novel techniques in vascular biology. Readers will discover basic methodologies used for analysis of endothelial cell growth in vitro, including co-culture models of vessel formation. Authors also explore isolation and purification of cells and methods for analysis of data and visualization of localized vasculature with modern imaging platforms. Both animal models and human disease are covered in this work. Each chapter contains helpful sections on trouble shooting, additional notes and links, supporting the reader to carry out protocols. This book will appeal to students, researchers and medical professionals working in all vascular-linked fields such as cardio- and cerebrovascular, cancer and dementia.

This volume reviews available mouse models of atherosclerosis, basic aspects of disease initiation and progression, and the visualization of atherosclerotic lesions with invasive and non-invasive techniques that are widely used both in basic research and in the clinic. The chapters catalogue a wide range of in vitro and in vivo experimental methods used for atherosclerosis research, including thorough protocols and valuable notes based on the authors’ personal wet lab experience. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Methods in Mouse Atherosclerosis will be a valuable working guide for researchers performing mouse-based atherosclerosis studies.

The Oxford Textbook of Vascular Surgery draws on the expertise of over 130 specialist contributors to encompass the field of vascular surgery. Through the use of figures, findings of contemporary trials, and additional online content, this textbook is an excellent study material for surgical trainees entering their final two years of training, in addition to serving as an effective reference source for practicing surgeons. This volume discusses the epidemiology, vascular biology, clinical features and management of diseases that affect the vasculature and contains dedicated chapters which address topics such as paediatric surgery, damage control surgery, and amputations. The text follows a logical framework which complements the published Intercollegiate Surgery Curriculum making it particularly useful in preparation for the Intercollegiate Examination. The online version of The Oxford Textbook of Vascular Surgery is free for twelve months to individual purchasers of this book and contains the full text of the print edition, links to external sources and informative videos demonstrating current surgical techniques, making this a valuable resource for practicing surgeons. The field of vascular surgery has advanced rapidly in recent years and has expanded to include the techniques of interventional radiology and cardiology which are also extensively covered in this volume, making it an authoritative modern text. By combining contemporary evidence-based knowledge with informative figures, online resources and links to the current training curriculum, The Oxford Textbook of Vascular Surgery is a highly valuable source of information and will become the standard reference text for all who study vascular disease and its treatment.

The field of vascular anomalies has grown rapidly in last 25 years. Molecular genetics has led to discovery of genes that cause vascular anomalies. Interventional radiology has become a major contributor to accurate diagnosis and management of previously untreatable disorders. New pharmacologic therapies are under investigation and surgical protocols have been established. Vascular Anomalies: Hemangiomas and Malformations is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary textbook ideal for dermatologists, interventional radiologists, surgical specialists, ophthalmologists, pathologists, geneticists, pediatricians, hematologic-oncologists, and vascular biologists. With a central motif of the biologic dichotomy of vascular tumors and vascular malformations, this book is organized into chapters which address clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, molecular genetics, pathogenesis, histopathology, and management of vascular anomalies. Generous, full-color images compliment this extensive volume written by three colleagues and their teammates from Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School, with leading specialists from other centers.

Angiogenesis, the growth of blood vessels from an existing vasculature, can occur by sprouting from preexisting vessels or by vessel splitting (intussusception). Pathological angiogenesis drives choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age related macular degeneration (AMD) which is commonly restricted under the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), called occult CNV, but may also involve vessels penetrating through the RPE into the sub-retinal space. Pathological vessels are poorly developed, insufficiently perfused and highly leaky, phenotypes that are considered to drive disease progression and lead to poor prognosis. Currently, a number of anti-angiogenic drugs exists, the majority of which target vascular endothelial factor (VEGF), but although they often are highly beneficial for treating eye diseases in the short-term, they are generally of limited efficacy in other diseases such as cancer, and also have poorer efficacy when used for treatment of eye diseases in the long-term. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying pathological angiogenesis can generate new targets for treatment leading to development of better drugs for cancer and retinopathies, but perhaps also other angiogenesis-dependent diseases, in the future. In this thesis mechanisms involved in developmental angiogenesis or pathological angiogenesis in the choroid, cornea or melanoma was identified. These findings highlight the need to further elaborate our knowledge related to angiogenesis in different tissues/conditions for a more targeted, and potentially effective treatment of diseases in the future. In paper I, we for the first time identified the choriocapillaries (CCs) in adult zebrafish and found that occult CNV could be induced by exposing the fish to severe hypoxia. Interestingly, we found that occult CNV relied on intussusception, involving not only de novo generation of intussusceptive pillars but also a previously poorly understood mechanism called pillar splitting. This involved HIF-VEGF-VEGFR2 signaling and evidence that this also occurred in both rats and humans suffering from AMD suggested that the mechanism was conserved and clinically relevant. In contrast, we found in paper II that the development of CCs in the zebrafish relies on sprouting angiogenesis, involve continuous remodeling, and delayed maturation of the vasculature in 2D. The initial development was found to occur by a unique process of tissuewide synchronized vasculogenesis. As expected, VEGFA via VEGFR2 was also critical for the development of these vessels in the zebrafish embryo, but surprisingly this was independent on hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1. Inflammatory nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) signaling is involved in the progression of angiogenesis, but this signaling pathway has mainly been studied in the inflammatory cells and the role of NF-kB in the endothelial cells during angiogenesis is poorly understood. In paper III, we found that blocking NF-kB signaling using a specific IKK2 blocker IMD0354, specifically blocks pathological as well as developmental angiogenesis by targeting endothelial cell NF-kB signaling in the endothelial cells. Using a rat model for suture-induced corneal neovascularization, IMD0354 treatment lead to reduced production of inflammatory C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CXCL5) and VEGF, and thereby reduced pathological corneal angiogenesis in this model. Using the zebrafish tumor xenograft model in paper IV, we found an association between Microphthalmia associated transcription factor (MITF) and pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF), which was involved in pathological tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. Similarly, in paper V we used zebrafish transplantation models to study and investigate the use of biocompatible polymers for the delivery of pro-angiogenic FGF-2 as a potential treatment strategy for ischemic diseases such as myocardial infarction (MI). Conclusively, this thesis provides new insights into diverse fields of angiogenic assays using zebrafish, and reveals new mechanisms of angiogenesis in health and disease. This work will hopefully provide a foundation for further studies into occult CNV related to AMD, a process that has not been possible to study previously in pre-clinical models. In addition, zebrafish xenograft or other transplantation models used in this work will likely be important to study cancer biology and to develop more attractive pharmaceutical preparations based on biocompatible hydrogels formulated as microspheres in the future.

As experimentation and clinical trials with first generation anti-angiogenic agents have yielded results and our understanding of the biology and physiology of blood and lymphatic vessels has increased, a new angiogenesis volume swiftly became a necessity. Angiogenesis Protocols, Second Edition remains true to its original vision of providing a single source for angiogenesis researchers, irrespective of levels of resource and expertise, by collecting a range of methods for cell isolation and assessing angiogenesis in vivo or in vitro. This information, however, is expanded to include chapters on circulating endothelial progenitor cells, angiogenic signalling pathways, imaging of angiogenesis, and measurement of tissue blood flow. Written in the Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, the chapters provide step-by-step laboratory protocols, lists of necessary materials and reagents, and a Notes section, which details tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Extensive and cutting-edge, Angiogenesis Protocols, Second Edition is not only a practical handbook for key techniques, but also an informative and enjoyable read for all those interested, no matter how directly, in angiogenesis.

Presents a full range of techniques--the newest and most sophisticated as well as the simple, inexpensive, and traditional ones--compiled from the published literature and from the unpublished notebooks and files of pollination biologists. Examines pitfalls and offers cautionary advice about design and implementation of various types of pollination experiments. An important compilation in a discipline fed by a variety of fields and heretofore lacking a single source "how-to" reference. Paper edition (unseen), $17.50. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR