AC133+ / CD34+ cells isolated from 
human bone marrow can be stimulated with the pro-angiogenic factors VEGF, bFGF, and 
heparin, resulting in the generation of a 
population of cells that is adherent and possesses many of the same properties as mature endothelial 
cell types, HMVECs and HUVECs. The newly-formed, endothelial-like cells are referred as adherent endothelial precursor cells (aEPCs); these cells appear to be intermediates between haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and mature endothelial cells. Direct comparison of aEPCs with HMVECs and HUVECs in several 
in vitro functional assays, such as 
tube formation, migration, invasion, and expression of cells surface markers, reveals differences and similarities. In a 
Matrigel™ matrix 
angiogenesis assay the aEPCs form vessels 
in vivo and interact with human 
ovarian cancer cells. Mouse 
cell lines that are useful models for tumor endothelial cells are identified by determining mRNA and 
protein expression levels of murine homologs of tumor endothelial markers. Mouse 
cell lines selected as models for tumor endothelial cells can be used to evaluate pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors.