Formation of capillary-like tubular structures by hMVEC in a fibrin_Nieuwegein matrix.

The hMVEC were seeded in confluency on the fibrin matrices. Under control conditions they remained as a monolayer on the fibrin (A). Stimulated with 5 ng/mL bFGF and 1 ng/mL TNF-α they formed invasive capillary-like tubular structures in normal fibrin matrices (B). Capillary-like tubular structure formation by bFGF/TNF-α–stimulated cells was decreased in fibrin_Nieuwegein matrices (C). After 4 days pictures were taken. Arrows indicate capillary-like tubular structures. Bar represents 300 μM.