Figure 6. Targeting MCT1 inhibits lactate-induced endothelial cell migration and vascular sprouting.

(A) Confluent BAECs on coverslips were placed into cell-free dishes in the presence of 10 mM lactate or not. Pictures show cell migration over time. Bar = 50 µm. (B) Quantification of EC migration was performed in a transwell assay in which calcein-labeled BAECs migrated during 24-h through a Matrigel-coated membrane towards serum-free medium containing 10 ng/ml VEGF, 10 mM lactate, or lactate and 5 mM CHC. Pictures show the membranes where pores occupied by endothelial cells (detected using a caveolin-1 antibody) are labeled with a red bullet. Bar = 50 µm. The graph shows calcein fluorescence in the bottom well. **p<0.01, ***p<0.005 compared to control; ^### p<0.005 compared to lactate; n = 3. (C) Consecutive rings of a mouse aorta were cultured during 10 days in collagen gels containing 10 mM lactate and/or 2 mM CHC. Pictures show endothelial sproutings (arrowhead point at typical linear structures) and fibroblast seeding (scattered cells). Bar = 500 µm. The graph shows the number of sprouts per ring. ***p<0.005 compared to control; ^### p<0.005 compared to lactate; n = 6–11. (B and C) Error bars reflect mean ± SEM.