A sandwiched ventricular explant assay to model mouse coronary angiogenesis ex vivo

STAR Protoc. 2023 Dec 15;4(4):102619. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102619. Epub 2023 Oct 31.

Abstract

Developing an ex vivo system that mimics in vivo developmental coronary angiogenesis provides an improved understanding of its underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms. Here, we present a sandwiched embryonic ventricular explant assay to model mouse coronary angiogenesis ex vivo. We describe steps for breeding mice, labeling endocardial cells, isolating murine hearts, dissecting left ventricles, and making sandwiched explants in Matrigel. We then detail procedures for modeling coronary angiogenesis and taking images. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Lu et al. (2023)1.

Keywords: Cell Culture; Cell Differentiation; Developmental Biology.

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis*
  • Animals
  • Biological Assay
  • Endothelial Cells
  • Heart
  • Heart Ventricles*
  • Mice