Angiogenesis induced by urothelial cells (HCV-29) and their v-ras and v-raf transfectants.

The angiogenic ability of human urothelial cells (HCV-29) and their v-ras and v-raf transfectants was studied. The most pronounced angiogenesis, observed in vivo, induced v-raf-transfected cells. The lowest degree of induction of neovascularization presented cells of the parental line. The increased extent of angiogenesis correlated with the presence of VEGF mRNA as measured by RT-PCR as well as the level of VEGF as visualized by the method of Western blotting.