Neovascularization in the splenic autograft transplanted into rat omentum as studied by scanning electron microscopy of vascular casts.

Neovascularization during regenerating process in splenic tissue autotransplanted into rat omentum was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy of vascular casts. The results obtained indicated that neovascularization is classified into the following four steps; capillarization in the connective tissue surrounding the degenerating autograft, connection of blood vessels between the still surviving splenic cords and capillaries in the surrounding tissue, rebuilding of the splenic sinuses and remodelling of regenerated blood vessels. This neovascularization process is specific in that the preexisting splenic cords play an important role in angiogenesis during regenerative process in the autograft.