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A Computational Tool for Quantitative Analysis of Vascular Networks

Author

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  • Enrique Zudaire
  • Laure Gambardella
  • Christopher Kurcz
  • Sonja Vermeren

Abstract

Angiogenesis is the generation of mature vascular networks from pre-existing vessels. Angiogenesis is crucial during the organism' development, for wound healing and for the female reproductive cycle. Several murine experimental systems are well suited for studying developmental and pathological angiogenesis. They include the embryonic hindbrain, the post-natal retina and allantois explants. In these systems vascular networks are visualised by appropriate staining procedures followed by microscopical analysis. Nevertheless, quantitative assessment of angiogenesis is hampered by the lack of readily available, standardized metrics and software analysis tools. Non-automated protocols are being used widely and they are, in general, time - and labour intensive, prone to human error and do not permit computation of complex spatial metrics. We have developed a light-weight, user friendly software, AngioTool, which allows for quick, hands-off and reproducible quantification of vascular networks in microscopic images. AngioTool computes several morphological and spatial parameters including the area covered by a vascular network, the number of vessels, vessel length, vascular density and lacunarity. In addition, AngioTool calculates the so-called “branching index” (branch points / unit area), providing a measurement of the sprouting activity of a specimen of interest. We have validated AngioTool using images of embryonic murine hindbrains, post-natal retinas and allantois explants. AngioTool is open source and can be downloaded free of charge.

Suggested Citation

  • Enrique Zudaire & Laure Gambardella & Christopher Kurcz & Sonja Vermeren, 2011. "A Computational Tool for Quantitative Analysis of Vascular Networks," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(11), pages 1-12, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0027385
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027385
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    1. M. Gabriele Bixel & Kishor K. Sivaraj & Melanie Timmen & Vishal Mohanakrishnan & Anusha Aravamudhan & Susanne Adams & Bong-Ihn Koh & Hyun-Woo Jeong & Kai Kruse & Richard Stange & Ralf H. Adams, 2024. "Angiogenesis is uncoupled from osteogenesis during calvarial bone regeneration," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-22, December.
    2. Antonio Citro & Alessia Neroni & Cataldo Pignatelli & Francesco Campo & Martina Policardi & Matteo Monieri & Silvia Pellegrini & Erica Dugnani & Fabio Manenti & Maria Chiara Maffia & Libera Valla & El, 2023. "Directed self-assembly of a xenogeneic vascularized endocrine pancreas for type 1 diabetes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    3. Aidan Anderson & Nada Alfahad & Dulani Wimalachandra & Kaouthar Bouzinab & Paula Rudzinska & Heather Wood & Isabel Fazey & Heping Xu & Timothy J. Lyons & Nicholas M. Barnes & Parth Narendran & Janet M, 2024. "Relaxation of mitochondrial hyperfusion in the diabetic retina via N6-furfuryladenosine confers neuroprotection regardless of glycaemic status," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, December.
    4. Dohui Kim & Hyeonji Lim & Jaeseung Youn & Tae-Eun Park & Dong Sung Kim, 2024. "Scalable production of uniform and mature organoids in a 3D geometrically-engineered permeable membrane," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-18, December.
    5. Nunzia Caporarello & Jisu Lee & Tho X. Pham & Dakota L. Jones & Jiazhen Guan & Patrick A. Link & Jeffrey A. Meridew & Grace Marden & Takashi Yamashita & Collin A. Osborne & Aditya V. Bhagwate & Steven, 2022. "Dysfunctional ERG signaling drives pulmonary vascular aging and persistent fibrosis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-19, December.
    6. Teena Bhakuni & Pieter R. Norden & Naoto Ujiie & Can Tan & Sun Kyong Lee & Thomas Tedeschi & Yi-Wen Hsieh & Ying Wang & Ting Liu & Amani A. Fawzi & Tsutomu Kume, 2024. "FOXC1 regulates endothelial CD98 (LAT1/4F2hc) expression in retinal angiogenesis and blood-retina barrier formation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-21, December.
    7. Jiyeon Lee & Haeryung Lee & Hyein Lee & Miram Shin & Min-Gi Shin & Jinsoo Seo & Eun Jeong Lee & Sun Ah Park & Soochul Park, 2023. "ANKS1A regulates LDL receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1)-mediated cerebrovascular clearance in brain endothelial cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-20, December.
    8. Yassine El Bakkouri & Rony Chidiac & Chantal Delisle & Jeanne Corriveau & Gael Cagnone & Vanda Gaonac’h-Lovejoy & Ashley Chin & Éric Lécuyer & Stephane Angers & Jean-Sébastien Joyal & Ivan Topisirovic, 2024. "ZO-1 interacts with YB-1 in endothelial cells to regulate stress granule formation during angiogenesis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-19, December.
    9. Sandra Schrenk & Lindsay J. Bischoff & Jillian Goines & Yuqi Cai & Shruti Vemaraju & Yoshinobu Odaka & Samantha R. Good & Joseph S. Palumbo & Sara Szabo & Damien Reynaud & Catherine D. Raamsdonk & Ric, 2023. "MEK inhibition reduced vascular tumor growth and coagulopathy in a mouse model with hyperactive GNAQ," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-20, December.

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