GFP-Expressing Vascularization of Gelfoam as a Rapid In Vivo Assay of Angiogenesis Stimulators and Inhibitors

The study developed a novel in vivo assay using ND-GFP transgenic mice to visualize and quantify angiogenesis by implanting Gelfoam, which becomes vascularized with GFP-expressing blood vessels. The assay demonstrated that angiogenesis stimulators like β fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) increased vascularization, while inhibitors like doxorubicin decreased it. This model provided a rapid and simple method to identify angiogenesis stimulators and inhibitors, which are crucial for tumor growth and metastasis. The study involved five mice per experimental group and highlighted the potential of this assay in drug discovery for targeting angiogenesis.