Mouse hippocampal neurospheres negatively regulate cerebral angiogenesis

Aim. To evaluate the features of cerebral angiogenesis in the presence of neurospheres, free-floating clusters of neural stem and progenitor cells. Materials and Methods. Endothelial cells were optionally co-cultured with neurospheres were isolated from the hippocampus of 10-14-days-old C57Bl6 mice. Angiogenesis was evaluated in vitro by means of the angiogenesis assay kit (Abcam, ab204726) according to the manufacturer's protocol. Results. The number of vascular loops was decreased in the presence of neurospheres. Other angiogenic parameters (average loop area and perimeter, total vessel length and number of contacts per mm2) had no statistically significant differences after 18 hours of culture. Conclusion. The proliferative activity of neurospheres inhibits in vitro cerebral angiogenesis.