Tipcel
Tipcel is a term that may refer to different concepts depending on context. In scientific literature, the intended term is usually tip cell, a specialized endothelial cell at the leading edge of a sprouting blood vessel during angiogenesis. Tip cells extend filopodia, sense gradients of angiogenic signals such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and guide endothelial sprouts toward their targets. The activity and identity of tip cells are regulated by Notch signaling, particularly through Dll4-mediated lateral inhibition, which helps determine the balance between tip cells and follower (stalk) cells. Tip cells typically express markers such as Esm1 and VEGFR2 (KDR), and their behavior coordinates vascular branching. After sprout formation, stalk cells proliferate to lengthen the vessel, while tip cells retract their filopodia and promote maturation.
Outside biology, tipcel may appear as a brand name, product name, or user handle; such uses are
See also: angiogenesis; endothelial cell; tip cell; VEGF; Notch signaling; Dll4.