A NOVEL ANGIOGENESIS MODEL USING INTERSTITIAL-CELLS DERIVED FROM SKELETAL-MUSCLE

A novel angiogenesis model using co-culture of endothelial and interst itial cells was developed, in which bovine capillary endothelial cells (BCEC) formed capillary-like structure on the; monolayer of interstit ial cells (like smooth muscle cells) isolated from rat skeletal muscle . The capillary formation of BCEC occurred even under serum-free condi tions. Insulin stimulated the capillary growth under serum-free condit ion, but not BCEC growth in the single culture system. These results s uggested that the insulin effect on the capillary growth was brought a bout indirectly through the interstitial cells, and that this co-cultu re system may be useful for the study of angiogenesis (especially in s keletal muscle).