Adhesion and Migration Assays

More functional studies that address the process of migration use the so-called Boyden chamber [48]. In this assay the migratory capacity of endothelial cells after activation with chemoattractants or pro-angiogenic stimuli is studied. Velocity of migration and the percentage of cells that are capable of migrating through an ECM-coated membrane into another compartment can be determined. 

The wound assay [49] is another method of measuring endothelial cell migration. This assay is based on damaging or wounding a confluent monolayer of endothelial cells and the subsequent repair or closing of the wound by migration of endothelial cells. This assay can be carried out using different matrix components. 

The technologies described above can be used to pinpoint the mechanism(s) of action of angiogenic or angiostatic agents in specific steps in the angiogenic cascade. For instance, application of these systems revealed that IFNa and angiostatin inhibit cell migration whereas endostatin and platelet factor-4 function primarily as inhibitors of endothelial cell proliferation. 

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