Transcription Profiling of Angiogensis using DNA Microarrays

Abstract

Angiogenesis is the process by which new blood vessels form from an existing vasculature. The degree of angiogenesis and the character of the resulting microvascular beds vary between different healing environments such as wound healing and tumor angiogenesis. These differences are due, in part, to qualitative and quantitative differences in the molecular function within the tissue undergoing angiogenesis. For this study, these two types of angiogenic environments were created in mice and characterized on a gene expression level by utilizing cDNA microarrays. A DNA microarray containing 58 mouse genes from many different molecular classes relevant to angiogenesis was manufactured and tested. Optimal conditions and protocols for the use of microarray technology were designed and implemented. Results show that a polymerinduced angiogenic wound healing response differs greatly in its transcription profile from a tumor, suggesting that different types of angiogenesis occur in different environments.