Three-dimensional Spheroidal Coculture Model of Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells and Endothelial Cells

Paracrine interactions between endothelial cells (EC) and mural cells are critical key events in vascular remodelling after injury. Upon injury to the liver, quiescent HSC transdifferentiate into a myofibroblastic phenotype. Activated HSC express pro-angiogenetic factors including FGFs, Angiopoietin 1 and VEGF and may provide a pro-angiogenetic environment for wound healing but also for tumor metastasis. Stabilization of newly sprouted endothelial cells by mural cells is a prerequisite for vessel maturation. Since smooth muscle cells (SMC) are thought to be derived from local mesenchyme under the influence of lo…