Background: The concepts of vasculogenic mimicry and mosaic vessels have been proposed as novel modes of tumour neovascularisation. However, the presence and significance of these types of neovascularisation remain unclear.
Materials and methods: ECV304 human bladder carcinoma cells were used to determine how tumour cells take part in tumour neovascularisation.
Results: Subcutaneous ECV304 xenografts in mice showed various vessel types, including angiogenic vessels, tumour cell-related vessels and extracellular matrix networks. A tracer experiment demonstrated perfusion of beads in these structures. ECV304 cells, cultured on collagen I gels, formed tube networks with expressions of several endothelial-related markers. In coculture models of ECV304 cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells, the two cells collaborated to form sprouts or networks.
Conclusion: ECV304 cells possess an endothelial character which confers the ability to mimic and collaborate with vascular endothelial cells and facilitates the acquisition of tumour microcirculation.