Figure 5. The rat mesentery culture model can be used for investigating vascular island fate and incorporation into nearby networks.
Using time-lapse imaging, vascular islands were identified on day 0 and their connection to the nearby network was confirmed by day 3 post-angiogenic stimulation. Mesentery tissues were stimulated with bFGF (A, B) and VEGF/PDFG-BB (C, D). Hollow arrows show disconnected segments on day 0 and solid arrows represent island connection to the network. Arrowheads indicate the location of connections between a vascular island and the nearby network. Scale bars = 100 μm.