Pathological angiogenesis in a murine model of human Wilms' tumor

Background/Purpose: Pathological vascular architecture is a feature of neoangiogenic processes such as diseases of the retina and tumor growth. The authors hypothesized that experimental human Wilm's tumors would display a vascular architecture similar to retinal diseases that are driven by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Methods: Human Wilms' tumors were established in the right kidneys of nude mice. After 4.5 weeks of tumor growth, fluorescein angiograms were performed before death. Representative sections of tumors and contralateral, control kidneys were evaluated by fluorescent microscopy. Results: Fluorescein angiograms demonstrated a characteristic pathological architecture. Vascular tortuosity, capillary tufting, and hemorrhage were noted. These features were not present in normal kidneys. Conclusions: Vascular architecture of Wilms' tumor displays the specific features previously described in diseases of the retina, which have been shown to be driven by VEGF, suggesting that neoangiogenesis in this model is also VEGF driven.