Matrix-bound fibroblasts regulate angiogenesis by modulation of VE-cadherin

Background Vascular endothelial cadherin (V-E-cadherin/cadherin-5) has prev iously been described as playing a specific role in angiogenesis due to its localisation at areas of intercellular contact, where it functions in main tenance of tubular architecture. Matrix-bound fibroblasts have been show to produce a number of factors that are important in inducing angiogenesis an d to promote tubule-formation by human endothelial cells, an indicator of a ngiogenic potential. Results Tubule formation stimulated by fibroblast-derived growth factors ca n be prevented by the addition of monoclonal antibody to VE-cadherin. In ad dition, fibroblasts-derived growth factors are able to modulate the express ion and hence the regulation of this endothelial cell specific cadherin. Conclusions The change in VE-cadherin expression of human endothelial cells by fibroblast-derived growth factors may contribute to the regulation of a ngiogenesis.