Endothelial
spheroids as focal delivery devices for EC
| Use of endothelial spheroids as focal delivery devices of defined size for EC in various in vitro and in vivo applications. This picture shows an example of the formation of lumenized sprouts originating from collagen embedded EC spheroids. Outgrowing sprouts of neighbouring spheroids grow directionally towards each other to establish networks of anastomosing capillary-like structures (A, phase contrast microscopy). Cross sections of collagen gels embedded in paraffin show capillary-like, lumenized structures originating from EC spheroids (B-E). Depending on the plain of section, sprouting EC originating from lumenized capillary sprouts can be identified (D, arrow). Single cells which become not integrated in the lumen forming monolayer show the morphology of apoptotic cells (E, arrows). | |