Graph analysis of cell clusters forming vascular networks

Author(s)

Alves, A. P. ^[1] ; Mesquita, O. N. ^[1] ; Gomez-Gardenes, J. ^{[2, 3]} ; Agero, U. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Dept Fis, BR-31270901 Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil

^[2] Univ Zaragoza, Dept Fis Mat Condensada, E-50009 Zaragoza - Spain

^[3] Univ Zaragoza, Inst Biocomputat & Phys Complex Syst BIFI, GOTHAM Lab, Zaragoza 50018 - Spain

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE; v. 5, n. 3 MAR 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

This manuscript describes the experimental observation of vasculogenesis in chick embryos by means of network analysis. The formation of the vascular network was observed in the area apace of embryos from 40 to 55 h of development. In the area apace endothelial cell clusters self-organize as a primitive and approximately regular network of capillaries. The process was observed by bright-field microscopy in control,embryos and in embryos treated with Bevacizumab (Avastin), an antibody that inhibits the signalling of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The sequence of images of the vascular growth were thresholded, and used to quantify the forming network in control and Avastin-treated embryos. This characterization is made by measuring vessels density number of cell clusters and the largest cluster density. From the original images, the topology of the vascular network was extracted and characterized by means of the usual network metrics such as: the degree distribution, average clustering coefficient, average short path length and assortativity, among others. This analysis allows to monitor how the largest connected cluster of the vascular network evolves in time and provides with quantitative evidence of the disruptive effects that Avastin has on the tree structure of vascular networks. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/50983-3 - INCT 2014: complex fluids
• Grantee: Antonio Martins Figueiredo Neto
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants