Mast Cells Interact with Endothelial Cells to Accelerate In Vitro Angiogenesis

• Main Authors: Devandir Antonio de Souza Junior, Vivian Marino Mazucato, Ana Carolina Santana, Constance Oliver, Maria Celia Jamur
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2017-12-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: mast cells; angiogenesis; endothelial cells; tube formation assay; co-culture; gap junction
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/18/12/2674

Angiogenesis is a complex process that involves interactions between endothelial cells and various other cell types as well as the tissue microenvironment. Several previous studies have demonstrated that mast cells accumulate at angiogenic sites. In spite of the evidence suggesting a relationship between mast cells and angiogenesis, the association of mast cells and endothelial cells remains poorly understood. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between mast cells and endothelial cells during in vitro angiogenesis. When endothelial cells were co-cultured with mast cells, angiogenesis was stimulated. Furthermore, there was direct intercellular communication via gap junctions between the two cell types. In addition, the presence of mast cells stimulated endothelial cells to release angiogenic factors. Moreover, conditioned medium from the co-cultures also stimulated in vitro angiogenesis. The results from this investigation demonstrate that mast cells have both direct and indirect proangiogenic effects and provide new insights into the role of mast cells in angiogenesis.