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Prasad V, Fishman SJ, Mulliken JB, Fox VL, Liang MG, Klement G, Kieran MW, Burrows PE, Waltz DA, Powell J, Dubois J, Levy ML, Perez-Atayde AR, Kozakewich HPW. Cutaneovisceral angiomatosis with thrombocytopenia. Pediatr Dev Pathol 2005; 8:407-19. [PMID: 16034654 DOI: 10.1007/s10024-005-1124-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2004] [Accepted: 04/18/2005] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We describe 10 children with multiple vascular lesions of the skin and gastrointestinal tract associated with sustained, minor thrombocytopenia. In some children, there was involvement of the lung (n = 5), bone (n = 2), liver (n = 1), spleen (n = 1), and muscle (n = 1). The cutaneous lesions were congenital, multifocal, discrete, red-brown and variably blue macules and papules; in 3 children, a large dominant plaque was also present. All children developed hematemesis and/or melena and endoscopic evaluation revealed several to numerous small mucosal lesions that involved all levels of the gastrointestinal tract. Three of 5 children with pulmonary nodules had cough and 1 also had hemoptysis. Biopsies of cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and pulmonary lesions showed thin-walled, blood-filled vascular channels and variable endothelial hyperplasia. The endothelial nuclei were elongated, round, crescentic, or hobnailed. Cytoplasmic and extracellular periodic acid-Schiff positive deposits were often present in the zones of endothelial hyperplasia. The platelets were small in some children, suggesting a primary defect, possibly accounting for the thrombocytopenia. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage and hemoptysis required antiangiogenic therapy. The constellation of findings defines a congenital proliferative disorder of blood vessels with a distinctive microscopic appearance. We have termed this relatively indolent or slowly progressive disorder cutaneovisceral angiomatosis with thrombocytopenia because this designation incorporates its major clinical and histopathologic features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinay Prasad
- Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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202
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Cheung
- Stanford Center for Lymphatic and Venous Disorders, Falk Cardiovascular Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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203
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Hirakawa S, Kodama S, Kunstfeld R, Kajiya K, Brown LF, Detmar M. VEGF-A induces tumor and sentinel lymph node lymphangiogenesis and promotes lymphatic metastasis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 201:1089-99. [PMID: 15809353 PMCID: PMC2213132 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20041896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 536] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms of tumor metastasis to the sentinel lymph nodes are poorly understood. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A plays a principle role in tumor progression and angiogenesis; however, its role in tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis has remained unclear. We created transgenic mice that overexpress VEGF-A and green fluorescent protein specifically in the skin, and subjected them to a standard chemically-induced skin carcinogenesis regimen. We found that VEGF-A not only strongly promotes multistep skin carcinogenesis, but also induces active proliferation of VEGF receptor-2-expressing tumor-associated lymphatic vessels as well as tumor metastasis to the sentinel and distant lymph nodes. The lymphangiogenic activity of VEGF-A-expressing tumor cells was maintained within metastasis-containing lymph nodes. The most surprising finding of our study was that even before metastasizing, VEGF-A-overexpressing primary tumors induced sentinel lymph node lymphangiogenesis. This suggests that primary tumors might begin preparing their future metastatic site by producing lymphangiogenic factors that mediate their efficient transport to sentinel lymph nodes. This newly identified mechanism of inducing lymph node lymphangiogenesis likely contributes to tumor metastasis, and therefore, represents a new therapeutic target for advanced cancer and/or for the prevention of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Hirakawa
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
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204
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Soh S, Ishii T, Sato E, Akishima Y, Ito K, Baba S. Topographic distribution of lymphatic vessels in the normal human prostate. Prostate 2005; 63:330-5. [PMID: 15602746 DOI: 10.1002/pros.20199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The lymphatic endothelial hyaluronan receptor (LYVE-1) is a specific cell surface protein in lymphatic endothelium. The antiserum against human LYVE-1 was developed and was confirmed a powerful marker of lymphatic endothelium in human organs. With this novel marker we investigated the small network of intraprostate lymphatic vessels. METHODS To identify intraprostatic lymphatic vessels, we performed an immunohistochemical staining method using LYVE-1 pAb and von Willebrand Factor (vWF), and assessed the difference in distribution of small lymphatic vessels between the components in the prostate. RESULTS The density of lymphatic vessel was significantly high around ejaculatory ducts and in the fibromascular area between the globular area of peripheral zone and transitional zone. Predominat lymphatic vessels distributed in the fibromascular area in the anterior and posterior prostate of extrastromal area. CONCLUSIONS Recognition of the distinctive features of the intraprostate lymphatic network, can help the investigation of lymphatic involvement in cancer of the prostate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigehiro Soh
- Department of Urology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.
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205
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Conrad C, Huss R. Adult stem cell lines in regenerative medicine and reconstructive surgery. J Surg Res 2005; 124:201-8. [PMID: 15820249 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2004.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2004] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a tremendous increase in the understanding of stem cell biology. The potential clinical applications lead to an extended interest in the use of stem cells in many medical disciplines. Multipotent adult stem cells seem to be almost comparable to embryonic stem cells with respect to their ability to differentiate into various tissues in vitro and in vivo, a function that has been termed "stem cell plasticity". In vivo experiments in rodents have shown that adult stem cells participate in tissue- and organ regeneration in almost all lesions. Although stem cell populations isolated from the bone marrow are usually a heterogeneous mix of different subpopulations, cloned adult stem cell lines from any source also show a broad spectrum of differentiation potential, e.g., osteogenesis, myogenesis, neurogenesis, or angiogenesis in wound healing. Angiogenesis in particular is a subject in tissue regeneration with tremendous implication in reconstructive surgery. This comprehensive plasticity makes it possible to use stem cell lines for biomedical research, tissue engineering, regenerative surgery, and organ repair. Adult stem cell lines are molecularly well defined with respect to transcription factors, active signal transduction pathways, and expression of receptors/ligand pairs. We performed experiments with adult stem cell lines, which are not subject to stem cell heterogeneity. Results obtained with stem cell lines can reliably be ascribed to the stem cell population under scrutiny. Adult stem cell lines can be obtained with the necessary quality and quantity also to study many effects of human stem cells in vitro and in vivo. In this paper, we summarize some of the tremendous therapeutic implications of adult stem cell lines in surgery and surgical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudius Conrad
- Department of Surgery, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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206
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Baluk P, Tammela T, Ator E, Lyubynska N, Achen MG, Hicklin DJ, Jeltsch M, Petrova TV, Pytowski B, Stacker SA, Ylä-Herttuala S, Jackson DG, Alitalo K, McDonald DM. Pathogenesis of persistent lymphatic vessel hyperplasia in chronic airway inflammation. J Clin Invest 2005; 115:247-57. [PMID: 15668734 PMCID: PMC544601 DOI: 10.1172/jci22037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 260] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2004] [Accepted: 11/30/2004] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Edema occurs in asthma and other inflammatory diseases when the rate of plasma leakage from blood vessels exceeds the drainage through lymphatic vessels and other routes. It is unclear to what extent lymphatic vessels grow to compensate for increased leakage during inflammation and what drives the lymphangiogenesis that does occur. We addressed these issues in mouse models of (a) chronic respiratory tract infection with Mycoplasma pulmonis and (b) adenoviral transduction of airway epithelium with VEGF family growth factors. Blood vessel remodeling and lymphangiogenesis were both robust in infected airways. Inhibition of VEGFR-3 signaling completely prevented the growth of lymphatic vessels but not blood vessels. Lack of lymphatic growth exaggerated mucosal edema and reduced the hypertrophy of draining lymph nodes. Airway dendritic cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and epithelial cells expressed the VEGFR-3 ligands VEGF-C or VEGF-D. Adenoviral delivery of either VEGF-C or VEGF-D evoked lymphangiogenesis without angiogenesis, whereas adenoviral VEGF had the opposite effect. After antibiotic treatment of the infection, inflammation and remodeling of blood vessels quickly subsided, but lymphatic vessels persisted. Together, these findings suggest that when lymphangiogenesis is impaired, airway inflammation may lead to bronchial lymphedema and exaggerated airflow obstruction. Correction of defective lymphangiogenesis may benefit the treatment of asthma and other inflammatory airway diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Baluk
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Department of Anatomy, UCSF, San Francisco, California 94143, USA
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207
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Mäkinen T, Adams RH, Bailey J, Lu Q, Ziemiecki A, Alitalo K, Klein R, Wilkinson GA. PDZ interaction site in ephrinB2 is required for the remodeling of lymphatic vasculature. Genes Dev 2005; 19:397-410. [PMID: 15687262 PMCID: PMC546518 DOI: 10.1101/gad.330105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 354] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The transmembrane ligand ephrinB2 and its cognate Eph receptor tyrosine kinases are important regulators of embryonic blood vascular morphogenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms required for ephrinB2 transduced cellular signaling in vivo have not been characterized. To address this question, we generated two sets of knock-in mice: ephrinB2DeltaV mice expressed ephrinB2 lacking the C-terminal PDZ interaction site, and ephrinB2(5F) mice expressed ephrinB2 in which the five conserved tyrosine residues were replaced by phenylalanine to disrupt phosphotyrosine-dependent signaling events. Our analysis revealed that the homozygous mutant mice survived the requirement of ephrinB2 in embryonic blood vascular remodeling. However, ephrinB2DeltaV/DeltaV mice exhibited major lymphatic defects, including a failure to remodel their primary lymphatic capillary plexus into a hierarchical vessel network, hyperplasia, and lack of luminal valve formation. Unexpectedly, ephrinB2(5F/5F) mice displayed only a mild lymphatic phenotype. Our studies define ephrinB2 as an essential regulator of lymphatic development and indicate that interactions with PDZ domain effectors are required to mediate its functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taija Mäkinen
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max-Planck Institute of Neurobiology, 82152 Munich-Martinsried, Germany
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208
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Pathak AP, Artemov D, Ward BD, Jackson DG, Neeman M, Bhujwalla ZM. Characterizing Extravascular Fluid Transport of Macromolecules in the Tumor Interstitium by Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Cancer Res 2005; 65:1425-32. [PMID: 15735030 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-04-3682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Noninvasive imaging techniques to image and characterize delivery and transport of macromolecules through the extracellular matrix (ECM) and supporting stroma of a tumor are necessary to develop treatments that alter the porosity and integrity of the ECM for improved delivery of therapeutic agents and to understand factors which influence and control delivery, movement, and clearance of macromolecules. In this study, a noninvasive imaging technique was developed to characterize the delivery as well as interstitial transport of a macromolecular agent, albumin-GdDTPA, in the MCF-7 human breast cancer model in vivo, using magnetic resonance imaging. The transport parameters derived included vascular volume, permeability surface area product, macromolecular fluid exudate volume, and drainage and pooling rates. Immunohistochemical staining for the lymphatic endothelial marker LYVE-1 was done to determine the contribution of lymphatics to the macromolecular drainage. Distinct pooling and draining regions were detected in the tumors using magnetic resonance imaging. A few lymphatic vessels positively stained for LYVE-1 were also detected although these were primarily collapsed and tenuous suggesting that lymphatic drainage played a minimal role, and that the bulk of drainage was due to convective transport through the ECM in this tumor model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arvind P Pathak
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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209
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Gröger M, Loewe R, Holnthoner W, Embacher R, Pillinger M, Herron GS, Wolff K, Petzelbauer P. IL-3 induces expression of lymphatic markers Prox-1 and podoplanin in human endothelial cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2005; 173:7161-9. [PMID: 15585837 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.173.12.7161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Factors determining lymphatic differentiation in the adult organism are not yet well characterized. We have made the observation that mixed primary cultures of dermal blood endothelial cells (BEC) and lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) grown under standard conditions change expression of markers during subculture: After passage 6, they uniformly express LEC-specific markers Prox-1 and podoplanin. Using sorted cells, we show that LEC but not BEC constitutively express IL-3, which regulates Prox-1 and podoplanin expression in LEC. The addition of IL-3 to the medium of BEC cultures induces Prox-1 and podoplanin. Blocking IL-3 activity in LEC cultures results in a loss of Prox-1 and podoplanin expression. In conclusion, endogenous IL-3 is required to maintain the LEC phenotype in culture, and the addition of IL-3 to BEC appears to induce transdifferentiation of BEC into LEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Gröger
- Department of Dermatology, Division of General Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
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210
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Abstract
Inflammation is the common denominator to the postnatal events that overlap with lymphatic vessel growth, or lymphangiogenesis. Undoubtedly, inflammation and accompanying fluid overload are cardinal factors in wound healing, lymphedema, the pathogenesis of some forms of lymphangiomatosis, and solid tumor lymphangiogenesis. The assertion that inflammation actually triggers lymphangiogenesis lies in the evidence set forth below that inflammation is the usual precursor to tissue repair and regeneration. Moreover, the panel of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules that orchestrates the inflammatory response abounds with cytokines and chemokines that foster survival, migration, and proliferation of lymphatic endothelial cells. Finally, both interstitial fluid overload and increased demand for removal of leukocytes can benefit from lymphangiogenesis, although the mechanisms controlling the exit of leukocytes from tissues via the lymphatics are practically unknown. The pertinent question actually is how and why inflammation presents with formation of new lymph vessels in liver fibrosis but not in rheumatoid arthritis. One possible explanation is that organ-specific histological and functional properties of the lymphatic endothelium gauge their response to death, survival, and proliferative factors. Alternatively, the decision to remain quiescent, proliferate or regress resides within the stroma microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Mouta
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough, Maine 04074, USA.
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211
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Baluk P, Tammela T, Ator E, Lyubynska N, Achen MG, Hicklin DJ, Jeltsch M, Petrova TV, Pytowski B, Stacker SA, Ylä-Herttuala S, Jackson DG, Alitalo K, McDonald DM. Pathogenesis of persistent lymphatic vessel hyperplasia in chronic airway inflammation. J Clin Invest 2005. [DOI: 10.1172/jci200522037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 448] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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212
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Sapundzhiev NR, Dünne AA, Ramaswamy A, Sitter H, Davis RK, Werner JA. Lymph node metastasis in an animal model: Effect of piecemeal laser surgical resection. Lasers Surg Med 2005; 36:371-6. [PMID: 15892076 DOI: 10.1002/lsm.20184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Endoscopic laser surgical resection of advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) often requires division of the tumor into several pieces. It is unknown if this approach influences the incidence of regional and distant metastases. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS In 143 rabbits VX2 SCC was induced. Eight days later the tumor was resected by two different methods. In the first group en bloc cold steel resection was performed. In the second group piecemeal laser resection was performed. On the 51th day the animals were sacrificed and examined for lymph node and distant metastases. RESULTS After piecemeal laser resection 47.7% of the animals had lymph node metastases compared to 24.6% after en bloc resection (P = 0.01). The incidence of distant metastases did not differ for the two groups. CONCLUSIONS In our model narrow margin piecemeal laser resection was associated with a higher incidence of metastases compared to wide en bloc surgical resection. The exact mechanism responsible for this increase is unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolay R Sapundzhiev
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
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213
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Xu B, deWaal RM, Mor-Vaknin N, Hibbard C, Markovitz DM, Kahn ML. The endothelial cell-specific antibody PAL-E identifies a secreted form of vimentin in the blood vasculature. Mol Cell Biol 2004; 24:9198-206. [PMID: 15456890 PMCID: PMC517872 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.24.20.9198-9206.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
During mammalian vascular development, endothelial cells form a complex array of vessels that differ markedly in structure and function, but the molecular basis for this vascular complexity is poorly understood. Recent insights into endothelial diversity have come from the identification of molecular markers expressed on distinct endothelial cell populations. One such marker, the PAL-E antibody, has been used for almost 20 years to distinguish blood and lymphatic vessels, but the identity of the protein recognized by PAL-E has been unknown. In the present study we have used protein purification and tandem mass spectrometry analysis of tryptic peptides to identify the PAL-E antigen as a secreted form of vimentin. Vimentin has been well characterized as an intracellular intermediate filament protein expressed broadly in mesenchymal cells. In contrast, PAL-E-reactive vimentin is secreted extracellularly, its synthesis is restricted to a distinct population of blood endothelial cells and activated macrophages, and PAL-E-reactive vimentin is found in circulating human blood. PAL-E-reactive vimentin does not arise from an endothelial cell-specific mRNA transcript but is the product of cell-specific posttranslational modification. The PAL-E antibody therefore defines secretion of vimentin as a molecular distinction among endothelial cells and exposes a novel, extracellular role for vimentin in the blood vasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Xu
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Curie Blvd., BRB II/III Room 952, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6100, USA
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214
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Abstract
Malignant melanomas of the skin are distinguished by their propensity for early metastatic spread by way of lymphatic vessels to regional lymph nodes; lymph node metastasis is a major determinant for the staging and clinical management of melanoma. The importance of tumor-induced lymphangiogenesis for lymphatic melanoma spread is unclear, however. Recent experimental and clinical evidence strongly suggest that active lymphangiogenesis is induced by many tumor types, including cutaneous melanoma, and that it plays an important role in lymphatic tumor dissemination. The extent of tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis can serve as a powerful prognostic tool for the evaluation of primary cutaneous melanomas. A better molecular understanding of the lymphatic system may provide new insights into the biology of tumor metastasis and may provide novel prognostic and therapeutic tools in metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheil S Dadras
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center and Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
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215
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Cera MR, Del Prete A, Vecchi A, Corada M, Martin-Padura I, Motoike T, Tonetti P, Bazzoni G, Vermi W, Gentili F, Bernasconi S, Sato TN, Mantovani A, Dejana E. Increased DC trafficking to lymph nodes and contact hypersensitivity in junctional adhesion molecule-A-deficient mice. J Clin Invest 2004; 114:729-38. [PMID: 15343392 PMCID: PMC514585 DOI: 10.1172/jci21231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2004] [Accepted: 07/06/2004] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A) is a transmembrane adhesive protein expressed at endothelial junctions and in leukocytes. In the present work, we found that DCs also express JAM-A. To evaluate the biological relevance of this observation, Jam-A(-/-) mice were generated and the functional behavior of DCs in vitro and in vivo was studied. In vitro, Jam-A(-/-) DCs showed a selective increase in random motility and in the capacity to transmigrate across lymphatic endothelial cells. In vivo, Jam-A(-/-) mice showed enhanced DC migration to lymph nodes, which was not observed in mice with endothelium-restricted deficiency of the protein. Furthermore, increased DC migration to lymph nodes was associated with enhanced contact hypersensitivity (CHS). Adoptive transfer experiments showed that JAM-A-deficient DCs elicited increased CHS in Jam-A(+/+) mice, further supporting the concept of a DC-specific effect. Thus, we identified here a novel, non-redundant role of JAM-A in controlling DC motility, trafficking to lymph nodes, and activation of specific immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rosaria Cera
- Department of Vascular Biology, Italian Foundation for Cancer Research (FIRC) Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
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216
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Vincent L, Rafii S. Vascular frontiers without borders: multifaceted roles of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in supporting postnatal angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Cancer Cell 2004; 6:307-9. [PMID: 15488752 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2004.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family of growth factors, which primarily serves the function of stabilizing vascular networks, has now been shown to play a role in promoting tumor lymphangiogenesis. PDGF-BB, independent of VEGFR-3 signaling, induces tumor growth and metastasis in part through supporting lymphangiogenesis. These data suggest that targeting the PDGF/PDGF-receptor signaling pathway will provide a novel strategy to block tumor neoangiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, thereby inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loïc Vincent
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Division Hematology-Oncology, Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA
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217
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Dadras SS, North PE, Bertoncini J, Mihm MC, Detmar M. Infantile hemangiomas are arrested in an early developmental vascular differentiation state. Mod Pathol 2004; 17:1068-79. [PMID: 15143338 DOI: 10.1038/modpathol.3800153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Infantile hemangiomas, the most common tumors of infancy, are vascular tumors characterized by rapid proliferation of endothelial cells during the first few months of postnatal life followed by slow spontaneous involution, whose molecular pathogenesis remains unclear. The recent identification of developmental expression of vascular lineage-specific markers prompted us to characterize infantile hemangiomas for the expression of lymphatic endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE-1), Prox-1, CD31 and CD34. We found that LYVE-1, a specific marker for normal and tumor-associated lymphatic vessels, was strongly expressed in tumor cells of infantile hemangiomas (n=28), but not in other vascular tumors including pyogenic granulomas (n=19, P<0.0001) or intramuscular hemangiomas (n=9), using LYVE-1/CD31 double immunostains. Whereas LYVE-1 expression was detected on the endothelial cells of all proliferating infantile hemangiomas, this lymphatic marker was absent from the lesional capillaries during involution in the majority of cases (P=0.0009). The majority of LYVE-1(+) endothelial cells also expressed CD34, but were negative for the lymphatic-specific homeobox protein Prox-1. Based on coexpression of both LYVE-1 and the blood vascular marker CD34, we propose that the endothelial cells in proliferating infantile hemangioma are arrested in an early developmental stage of vascular differentiation. The immature, incompletely differentiated immunophenotype of proliferating infantile hemangiomas may contribute to their rapid growth during the first few months of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheil S Dadras
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center and Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
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218
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Saharinen P, Tammela T, Karkkainen MJ, Alitalo K. Lymphatic vasculature: development, molecular regulation and role in tumor metastasis and inflammation. Trends Immunol 2004; 25:387-95. [PMID: 15207507 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2004.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 280] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pipsa Saharinen
- Molecular/Cancer Biology Laboratory and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Biomedicum Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, P.O.B. 63 (Haartmaninkatu 8), 00014 Helsinki, Finland
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219
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Petrova TV, Karpanen T, Norrmén C, Mellor R, Tamakoshi T, Finegold D, Ferrell R, Kerjaschki D, Mortimer P, Ylä-Herttuala S, Miura N, Alitalo K. Defective valves and abnormal mural cell recruitment underlie lymphatic vascular failure in lymphedema distichiasis. Nat Med 2004; 10:974-81. [PMID: 15322537 DOI: 10.1038/nm1094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 409] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2004] [Accepted: 07/30/2004] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Lymphatic vessels are essential for the removal of interstitial fluid and prevention of tissue edema. Lymphatic capillaries lack associated mural cells, and collecting lymphatic vessels have valves, which prevent lymph backflow. In lymphedema-distichiasis (LD), lymphatic vessel function fails because of mutations affecting the forkhead transcription factor FOXC2. We report that Foxc2(-/-) mice show abnormal lymphatic vascular patterning, increased pericyte investment of lymphatic vessels, agenesis of valves and lymphatic dysfunction. In addition, an abnormally large proportion of skin lymphatic vessels was covered with smooth muscle cells in individuals with LD and in mice heterozygous for Foxc2 and for the gene encoding lymphatic endothelial receptor, Vegfr3 (also known as Flt4). Our data show that Foxc2 is essential for the morphogenesis of lymphatic valves and the establishment of a pericyte-free lymphatic capillary network and that it cooperates with Vegfr3 in the latter process. Our results indicate that an abnormal interaction between the lymphatic endothelial cells and pericytes, as well as valve defects, underlie the pathogenesis of LD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana V Petrova
- Molecular/Cancer Biology Laboratory and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Biomedicum Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, P.O.B. 63, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
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220
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Kunstfeld R, Hirakawa S, Hong YK, Schacht V, Lange-Asschenfeldt B, Velasco P, Lin C, Fiebiger E, Wei X, Wu Y, Hicklin D, Bohlen P, Detmar M. Induction of cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions in VEGF-A transgenic mice results in chronic skin inflammation associated with persistent lymphatic hyperplasia. Blood 2004; 104:1048-57. [PMID: 15100155 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2003-08-2964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 246] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) expression is up-regulated in several inflammatory diseases including psoriasis, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions, and rheumatoid arthritis. To directly characterize the biologic function of VEGF-A in inflammation, we evaluated experimental DTH reactions induced in the ear skin of transgenic mice that overexpress VEGF-A specifically in the epidermis. VEGF-A transgenic mice underwent a significantly increased inflammatory response that persisted for more than 1 month, whereas inflammation returned to baseline levels within 7 days in wild-type mice. Inflammatory lesions in VEGF-A transgenic mice closely resembled human psoriasis and were characterized by epidermal hyperplasia, impaired epidermal differentiation, and accumulation of dermal CD4+ T-lymphocytes and epidermal CD8+ lymphocytes. Surprisingly, VEGF-A also promoted lymphatic vessel proliferation and enlargement, which might contribute to the increased inflammatory response, as lymphatic vessel enlargement was also detected in human psoriatic skin lesions. Combined systemic treatment with blocking antibodies against VEGF receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) and VEGFR-2 potently inhibited inflammation and also decreased lymphatic vessel size. Together, these findings reveal a central role of VEGF-A in promoting lymphatic enlargement, vascular hyperpermeability, and leukocyte recruitment, thereby leading to persistent chronic inflammation. They also indicate that inhibition of VEGF-A bioactivity might be a new approach to anti-inflammatory therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer Kunstfeld
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Bldg 149, 13th St, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
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221
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He Y, Rajantie I, Ilmonen M, Makinen T, Karkkainen MJ, Haiko P, Salven P, Alitalo K. Preexisting lymphatic endothelium but not endothelial progenitor cells are essential for tumor lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis. Cancer Res 2004; 64:3737-40. [PMID: 15172976 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-04-0088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial progenitor cells have been shown to contribute to angiogenesis in various tumor models. Here, we have studied the relative contributions of bone marrow (BM)-derived endothelial progenitors and pre-existing lymphatic vessels to tumor lymphangiogenesis. We did not find significant incorporation of genetically marked BM-derived cells in lymphatic vessels during tumor- or vascular endothelial growth factor C-induced lymphangiogenesis. The degree of tumor lymphangiogenesis correlated with lymphatic vessel density in the peritumoral area, and despite tumor lymphangiogenesis, lymphatic metastasis failed to occur in gene-targeted vascular endothelial growth factor C(+/-) mice that have hypoplasia of the lymphatic network. Our data demonstrate that during tumor lymphangiogenesis and cancer cell dissemination via the lymphatics, the newly formed lymphatic vessels sprout from the pre-existing local lymphatic network with little if any incorporation of BM-derived endothelial progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulong He
- Molecular/Cancer Biology Laboratory and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki University Central Hospital, and Institute of Biomedicine, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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222
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Chen L, Hamrah P, Cursiefen C, Zhang Q, Pytowski B, Streilein JW, Dana MR. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 mediates induction of corneal alloimmunity. Nat Med 2004; 10:813-5. [PMID: 15235599 DOI: 10.1038/nm1078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2004] [Accepted: 06/16/2004] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
There are no studies so far linking molecular regulation of lymphangiogenesis and induction of adaptive immunity. Here, we show that blockade of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) signaling significantly suppresses corneal antigen-presenting (dendritic) cell trafficking to draining lymph nodes, induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity and rejection of corneal transplants. Regulating the function of VEGFR-3 may therefore be a mechanism for modulating adaptive immunity in the periphery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Chen
- Laboratory of Immunology, Schepens Eye Research Institute and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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223
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He Y, Karpanen T, Alitalo K. Role of lymphangiogenic factors in tumor metastasis. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2004; 1654:3-12. [PMID: 14984763 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2003.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2003] [Accepted: 07/03/2003] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Nearly four centuries after the discovery of lymphatic vessels, the molecular mechanisms underlying their development are beginning to be elucidated. Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) and VEGF-D, via signaling through VEGFR-3, appear to be essential for lymphatic vessel growth. Observations from clinicopathological studies have suggested that lymphatic vessels serve as the primary route for the metastatic spread of tumor cells to regional lymph nodes. Recent studies in animal models have provided convincing evidence that tumor lymphangiogenesis facilitates lymphatic metastasis. However, it is not clear how tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis is regulated, and little is known about how tumor cells escape from the primary tumor and gain entry into the lymphatics. This review examines some of these issues and provides a brief summary of the recent developments in this field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulong He
- Molecular/Cancer Biology Laboratory and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Biomedicum Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, POB 63 (Haartmaninkatu 8), 00014 Helsinki, Finland
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224
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Abstract
The lymphatic vascular system is necessary for the return of extravasated interstitial fluid and macromolecules to the blood circulation, for immune defense, and for the uptake of dietary fats. Impaired functioning of lymphatic vessels results in lymphedema, whereas tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis may contribute to the spread of cancer cells from solid tumors. Recent studies have identified lymphatic molecular markers and growth factors necessary for lymphangiogenesis. In particular, lymphatic endothelial receptor tyrosine kinase VEGFR-3 and its ligands VEGF-C and VEGF-D play crucial roles in promoting lymphatic vascular growth both during development and in pathological conditions. Isolation of pure cultures of lymphatic and blood vascular endothelial cells and systematic characterization of their transcriptomes provide useful cell culture models and novel potential vascular markers and offer further insights into the lymphatic vascular biology. Ectopic expression of the lymphatic endothelial specific homeobox transcription factor Prox1 in blood endothelial cells results in a shift in the gene expression profile towards the lymphatic endothelial phenotype, demonstrating the plasticity of endothelial cells and offering the possibility of transcriptional reprogramming of vascular endothelial cells for future therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pipsa Saharinen
- Molecular/Cancer Biology Laboratory and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 8, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
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225
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Fedele C, Berens D, Rautenfeld V, Pabst R. Desmoplakin and Plakoglobin - Specific Markers of Lymphatic Vessels in the Skin? Anat Histol Embryol 2004; 33:168-71. [PMID: 15144286 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0264.2004.00529.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies against Desmoplakin and Plakoglobin were tested for their suitability as specific markers of lymphatic vessels. The tissue samples were taken from horse skin in an attempt to establish the horse as a model for human lymphatic diseases. To obtain a clear, positive identification of blood and lymphatic vessels, immunohistochemical staining with antibodies against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR-3) and platelet endothelial adhesion molecule (PECAM-1, CD31), was compared with Desmoplakin and Plakoglobin. Because anti-VEGFR-3 is specific for lymphatic vessels in the skin while anti-CD31 stains blood and lymphatic vessels as well, it can be concluded that VEGFR-3(-)/CD31(+) vessels are blood vessels and VEGFR-3(+)/CD31(+) vessels are lymphatic vessels. It was documented on serial sections that Plakoglobin stains both blood and lymphatic vessels. However, Desmoplakin did not stain several positively identified lymphatic vessels. Therefore, Desmoplakin and Plakoglobin antibodies are not specific markers of lymphatic vessels in the skin and the staining pattern is tissues and species dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Fedele
- Department of Functional and Applied Anatomy, Hannover Medical School, OE4120, Carl-Neuberg-Str.1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
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226
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Hirakawa S, Detmar M. New insights into the biology and pathology of the cutaneous lymphatic system. J Dermatol Sci 2004; 35:1-8. [PMID: 15194141 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2003.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2003] [Accepted: 10/21/2003] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The cutaneous lymphatic system plays an important role in the maintenance of tissue fluid homeostasis, in the afferent phase of the immune response, and in the metastatic spread of skin cancers. The recent identification of genes that specifically control lymphatic development and the growth of lymphatic vessels (lymphangiogenesis), together with the discovery of new lymphatic endothelium-specific markers have now provided new insights into the molecular mechanisms that control lymphatic development and function. These scientific advances have also led to a new understanding of the genetic basis of several hereditary diseases that are associated with lymphedema, and they have provided surprising evidence that malignant tumors can directly promote lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Hirakawa
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center and Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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227
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Hong YK, Lange-Asschenfeldt B, Velasco P, Hirakawa S, Kunstfeld R, Brown LF, Bohlen P, Senger DR, Detmar M. VEGF-A promotes tissue repair-associated lymphatic vessel formation via VEGFR-2 and the alpha1beta1 and alpha2beta1 integrins. FASEB J 2004; 18:1111-3. [PMID: 15132990 DOI: 10.1096/fj.03-1179fje] [Citation(s) in RCA: 242] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) is strongly up-regulated in wounded cutaneous tissue and promotes repair-associated angiogenesis. However, little is known about its role in lymphatic regeneration of the healing skin. We studied wound healing in transgenic mice that overexpress VEGF-A specifically in the epidermis and in wild-type mice in the absence or presence of inhibitors of VEGF-A signaling. Surprisingly, transgenic overexpression of VEGF-A in the skin promoted lymphangiogenesis at the wound healing site, whereas systemic blockade of VEGFR-2 prevented lymphatic vessel formation. Studies in cultured lymphatic endothelial cells revealed that VEGF-A induced expression of the alpha1 and alpha2 integrins, which promoted their in vitro tube formation and their haptotactic migration toward type I collagen. VEGF-A-induced lymphatic endothelial cord formation and haptotactic migration were suppressed by anti-alpha1 and anti-alpha2 integrin blocking antibodies, and systemic blockade of the alpha1 and alpha2 integrins inhibited VEGF-A-driven lymphangiogenesis in vivo. We propose that VEGF-A promotes lymphatic vasculature formation via activation of VEGFR-2 and that lineage-specific differences of integrin receptor expression contribute to the distinct dynamics of wound-associated angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Kwon Hong
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA
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228
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Franke FE, Steger K, Marks A, Kutzner H, Mentzel T. Hobnail hemangiomas (targetoid hemosiderotic hemangiomas) are true lymphangiomas. J Cutan Pathol 2004; 31:362-7. [PMID: 15059220 DOI: 10.1111/j.0303-6987.2004.00192.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hobnail hemangioma (targetoid hemosiderotic hemangioma) is a small benign vascular tumor of the superficial and mid-dermis. In contrast to its well-characterized histology, it has been unclear whether this tumor arises from blood vessel endothelial cells (BECs) or lymphatic vessel endothelial cells (LECs). METHODS We analyzed 10 hobnail hemangiomas by immunohistochemistry, using the recently described lymphatic endothelial cell marker, D2-40. For comparison, CD31, CD34, and alpha-smooth muscle actin expression were studied in consecutive sections of the paraffin-embedded tissues. RESULTS In all analyzed vessels, D2-40 labeled exclusively LECs, whereas BECs were consistently negative. In contrast to capillary BECs, either neighboring the tumors or intermingled, neoplastic endothelial cells of all 10 hobnail hemangiomas were strongly labeled by D2-40. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest a lymphatic origin for hobnail hemangiomas. This view is further supported by the CD34 negativity of endothelial cells and the lack of actin-labeled pericytes in hobnail hemangiomas, both characteristic of lymphatic vessels. Moreover, our analysis revealed that microshunts between neoplastic lymphatic vascular channels and small blood vessels occur, explaining some features of hobnail hemangiomas, such as aneurysmatic microstructures, erythrocytes within and beneath neoplastic vascular spaces, inflammatory changes, scarring, and interstitial hemosiderin deposits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Folker E Franke
- Department of Pathology, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Langhanstrasse 10, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
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229
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Nakamura ES, Koizumi K, Kobayashi M, Saiki I. Inhibition of lymphangiogenesis-related properties of murine lymphatic endothelial cells and lymph node metastasis of lung cancer by the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor MMI270. Cancer Sci 2004; 95:25-31. [PMID: 14720323 PMCID: PMC11158096 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2004.tb03166.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2003] [Revised: 11/10/2003] [Accepted: 11/19/2003] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on a previous report on the effect of a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitory compound, MMI270, in regulating tumor-induced angiogenesis, as well as recent findings concerning functional correlations among tumor metastasis, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, we investigated the anti-metastatic efficacy of MMI270 in a murine model of lymph node metastasis of lung cancer, and analyzed whether this inhibitor could also regulate lymphangiogenesis-related properties of murine lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and invasive properties of Lewis lung cancer (LLC) cells. The observation that MMI270 led to a significant decrease in the weight of tumor-metastasized lymph nodes of mice led us to test its anti-lymphangiogenic and anti-invasive effects in vitro. Murine LECs were characterized by an in vitro tube formation assay, by semi-quantitative RT-PCR assay to examine the expression of mRNAs for flt-4, Flk-1, Tie-1, Tie-2, CD54/ICAM1, vWF, MMPs and uPA, and by western blotting to confirm the protein expression of flt-4 and CD31/PECAM. This is the first report on the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 and MT1-MMP in murine LECs, as well as on the inhibition of their enzymatic activity, and of the invasive ability and tube-forming property of LECs by an MMP inhibitor. Furthermore, MMI270 was shown to strongly inhibit the activity of MMP-2 and -9 produced by LLC cells and the invasion of these cells through Matrigel. In summary, the present results indicate that MMI270, apart from its anti-tumor angiogenic application, might be useful as an anti-metastatic drug, on the basis of its downregulatation of both the lymphangiogenesis-related properties of LECs and the invasive properties of LLC cells in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliane Shizuka Nakamura
- Division of Pathogenic Biochemistry, Institute of Natural Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
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230
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Abstract
Although the process of blood vasculature formation has been well documented, little is known about lymphatic vasculature development, despite its importance in normal and pathological conditions. The lack of specific lymphatic markers has hampered progress in this field. However, the recent identification of genes that participate in the formation of the lymphatic vasculature denotes the beginning of a new era in which better diagnoses and therapeutic treatment(s) of lymphatic disorders could become a reachable goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Oliver
- Department of Genetics, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA.
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231
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Zhang X, Groopman JE, Wang JF. Extracellular matrix regulates endothelial functions through interaction of VEGFR-3 and integrin ?5?1. J Cell Physiol 2004; 202:205-14. [PMID: 15389531 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.20106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Endothelium extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions can provide distinct spatial and molecular signals which control cellular proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Here, we investigated the role of fibronectin (FN), a major ECM protein, on the functions of lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC). We observed that FN, the ligand for integrin alpha5beta1, selectively promoted the growth of LEC as compared with vitronectin (VN) in the presence of the ligand for vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 [VEGFR-3 (VEGF-C156S)]. Upon investigating the mechanisms whereby ECM components regulate VEGFR-3 signaling, we found that FN transactivated VEGFR-3 and significantly enhanced the phosphorylation of VEGFR-3 induced by VEGF-C156S as compared to VN. An enhanced association of the integrin subunit alpha5 or beta1 with VEGFR-3, after stimulation with VEGF-C156S, was observed by co-immunoprecipitation. While blockade of integrin alpha5beta1 inhibited the VEGF-C156S-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR-3, no similar effect was obtained by blocking integrin alphavbeta3. FN also protected the endothelial cells from serum deprivation-induced apoptosis. Moreover, while the specific PI3 kinase inhibitor, LY294002, abolished this FN-mediated cell survival, the MAPK kinase inhibitor, PD98059, had no significant effect. Furthermore, a dominant-negative mutant of VEGFR-3 (G857R) reduced VEGF-C156S or FN-mediated cell survival, as well as the activities of PI3 kinase/Akt. Our results indicate that integrin alpha5beta1 participates in the activation of both VEGFR-3 and its downstream PI3 kinase/Akt signaling pathway, which is essential for FN-mediated lymphatic endothelial cell survival and proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefeng Zhang
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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232
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Karkkainen MJ, Haiko P, Sainio K, Partanen J, Taipale J, Petrova TV, Jeltsch M, Jackson DG, Talikka M, Rauvala H, Betsholtz C, Alitalo K. Vascular endothelial growth factor C is required for sprouting of the first lymphatic vessels from embryonic veins. Nat Immunol 2003; 5:74-80. [PMID: 14634646 DOI: 10.1038/ni1013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1014] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2003] [Accepted: 10/01/2003] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Lymphatic vessels are essential for immune surveillance, tissue fluid homeostasis and fat absorption. Defects in lymphatic vessel formation or function cause lymphedema. Here we show that the vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) is required for the initial steps in lymphatic development. In Vegfc-/- mice, endothelial cells commit to the lymphatic lineage but do not sprout to form lymph vessels. Sprouting was rescued by VEGF-C and VEGF-D but not by VEGF, indicating VEGF receptor 3 specificity. The lack of lymphatic vessels resulted in prenatal death due to fluid accumulation in tissues, and Vegfc+/- mice developed cutaneous lymphatic hypoplasia and lymphedema. Our results indicate that VEGF-C is the paracrine factor essential for lymphangiogenesis, and show that both Vegfc alleles are required for normal lymphatic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika J Karkkainen
- Molecular/Cancer Biology Laboratory and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Haartman Institute and Helsinki University Hospital, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, PO Box 63, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
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233
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Chi JT, Chang HY, Haraldsen G, Jahnsen FL, Troyanskaya OG, Chang DS, Wang Z, Rockson SG, van de Rijn M, Botstein D, Brown PO. Endothelial cell diversity revealed by global expression profiling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2003; 100:10623-8. [PMID: 12963823 PMCID: PMC196854 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1434429100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 559] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The vascular system is locally specialized to accommodate widely varying blood flow and pressure and the distinct needs of individual tissues. The endothelial cells (ECs) that line the lumens of blood and lymphatic vessels play an integral role in the regional specialization of vascular structure and physiology. However, our understanding of EC diversity is limited. To explore EC specialization on a global scale, we used DNA microarrays to determine the expression profile of 53 cultured ECs. We found that ECs from different blood vessels and microvascular ECs from different tissues have distinct and characteristic gene expression profiles. Pervasive differences in gene expression patterns distinguish the ECs of large vessels from microvascular ECs. We identified groups of genes characteristic of arterial and venous endothelium. Hey2, the human homologue of the zebrafish gene gridlock, was selectively expressed in arterial ECs and induced the expression of several arterial-specific genes. Several genes critical in the establishment of left/right asymmetry were expressed preferentially in venous ECs, suggesting coordination between vascular differentiation and body plan development. Tissue-specific expression patterns in different tissue microvascular ECs suggest they are distinct differentiated cell types that play roles in the local physiology of their respective organs and tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen-Tsan Chi
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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234
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Abstract
Although sharing many features and functions, there is a mounting body of evidence to suggest that there are subtle differences between lymphatics and vascular channels. New data suggest that Ets-1 and Ets-1-target MMP genes are differentially expressed in lymphatic and vascular channels. Since it is generally accepted that the Ets family of transcription factors play a significant role in the regulation of the expression of angiogenic factors, the finding that Ets-1 is apparently not involved in lymphangiogenesis may highlight one aspect where angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are differently regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela F Jones
- Molecular Medicine Unit, University of Leeds, Clinical Sciences Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK
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235
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Schacht V, Ramirez MI, Hong YK, Hirakawa S, Feng D, Harvey N, Williams M, Dvorak AM, Dvorak HF, Oliver G, Detmar M. T1alpha/podoplanin deficiency disrupts normal lymphatic vasculature formation and causes lymphedema. EMBO J 2003; 22:3546-56. [PMID: 12853470 PMCID: PMC165612 DOI: 10.1093/emboj/cdg342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 507] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the vascular system, the mucin-type transmembrane glycoprotein T1alpha/podoplanin is predominantly expressed by lymphatic endothelium, and recent studies have shown that it is regulated by the lymphatic-specific homeobox gene Prox1. In this study, we examined the role of T1alpha/podoplanin in vascular development and the effects of gene disruption in mice. T1alpha/podoplanin is first expressed at around E11.0 in Prox1-positive lymphatic progenitor cells, with predominant localization in the luminal plasma membrane of lymphatic endothelial cells during later development. T1alpha/podoplanin(-/-) mice die at birth due to respiratory failure and have defects in lymphatic, but not blood vessel pattern formation. These defects are associated with diminished lymphatic transport, congenital lymphedema and dilation of lymphatic vessels. T1alpha/podoplanin is also expressed in the basal epidermis of newborn wild-type mice, but gene disruption did not alter epidermal differentiation. Studies in cultured endothelial cells indicate that T1alpha/podoplanin promotes cell adhesion, migration and tube formation, whereas small interfering RNA-mediated inhibition of T1alpha/podoplanin expression decreased lymphatic endothelial cell adhesion. These data identify T1alpha/podoplanin as a novel critical player that regulates different key aspects of lymphatic vasculature formation.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Cell Adhesion
- Cell Movement
- Cells, Cultured
- Endothelium, Lymphatic/cytology
- Endothelium, Lymphatic/embryology
- Endothelium, Lymphatic/metabolism
- Endothelium, Lymphatic/ultrastructure
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
- Glycoproteins/metabolism
- Glycoproteins/ultrastructure
- Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism
- Homeodomain Proteins/ultrastructure
- Lymphatic System/blood supply
- Lymphatic System/cytology
- Lymphatic System/embryology
- Lymphatic System/pathology
- Lymphedema/etiology
- Lymphedema/pathology
- Membrane Glycoproteins/deficiency
- Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism
- Membrane Glycoproteins/ultrastructure
- Membrane Proteins/deficiency
- Membrane Proteins/metabolism
- Membrane Proteins/physiology
- Membrane Transport Proteins
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Neovascularization, Physiologic/genetics
- RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism
- Tumor Suppressor Proteins
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien Schacht
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
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236
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Dadras SS, Paul T, Bertoncini J, Brown LF, Muzikansky A, Jackson DG, Ellwanger U, Garbe C, Mihm MC, Detmar M. Tumor lymphangiogenesis: a novel prognostic indicator for cutaneous melanoma metastasis and survival. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2003; 162:1951-60. [PMID: 12759251 PMCID: PMC1868148 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9440(10)64328-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 369] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Malignant melanomas of the skin are distinguished by their propensity for early metastatic spread via lymphatic vessels to regional lymph nodes, and lymph node metastasis is a major determinant for the staging and clinical management of melanoma. However, the importance of tumor-induced lymphangiogenesis for lymphatic melanoma spread has remained unclear. We investigated whether tumor lymphangiogenesis occurs in human malignant melanomas of the skin and whether the extent of tumor lymphangiogenesis may be related to the risk for lymph node metastasis and to patient survival, using double immunostains for the novel lymphatic endothelial marker LYVE-1 and for the panvascular marker CD31. Tumor samples were obtained from clinically and histologically closely matched cases of primary melanomas with early lymph node metastasis (n = 18) and from nonmetastatic melanomas (n = 19). Hot spots of proliferating intratumoral and peritumoral lymphatic vessels were detected in a large number of melanomas. The incidence of intratumoral lymphatics was significantly higher in metastatic melanomas and correlated with poor disease-free survival. Metastatic melanomas had significantly more and larger tumor-associated lymphatic vessels, and a relative lymphatic vessel area of >1.5% was significantly associated with poor disease-free and overall survival. In contrast, no differences in the density of tumor-associated blood vessels were found. Vascular endothelial growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor-C expression was equally detected in a minority of cases in both groups. Our results reveal tumor lymphangiogenesis as a novel prognostic indicator for the risk of lymph node metastasis in cutaneous melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soheil S Dadras
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center and Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA
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237
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Williams CSM, Leek RD, Robson AM, Banerji S, Prevo R, Harris AL, Jackson DG. Absence of lymphangiogenesis and intratumoural lymph vessels in human metastatic breast cancer. J Pathol 2003; 200:195-206. [PMID: 12754740 DOI: 10.1002/path.1343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Early metastasis to lymph nodes is a frequent complication in human breast cancer. However, the extent to which this depends on lymphangiogenesis or on invasion of existing lymph vessels remains controversial. Although proliferating intratumoural lymphatics that promote nodal metastasis have been demonstrated in experimental breast tumours overexpressing VEGF-C, it has yet to be determined whether the same phenomena occur in spontaneous human breast cancers. To address this important issue, the present study investigated the lymphatics in primary human breast carcinoma (75 cases of invasive ductal and lobular breast cancer) by quantitative immunohistochemical staining for the lymphatic endothelial hyaluronan receptor LYVE-1, the blood vascular marker CD34, and the nuclear proliferation marker pKi67. None of the breast carcinomas was found to contain dividing lymph vessels, even in areas of active haemangiogenesis. Furthermore, the majority of non-dividing lymph vessels were confined to the tumour periphery where their incidence was low and unrelated to tumour size, grade or nodal status; rather, their density was inversely correlated with tumour aggressiveness as assessed by macrophage density (p = 0.009), and blood microvessel density (p = 0.05, Spearman Rank), as well as with distance from the tumour edge. Finally, a proportion of the peritumoural lymphatics contained tumour emboli associated with hyaluronan, indicating a possible role for LYVE-1/hyaluronan interactions in lymphatic invasion or metastasis. These results suggest that naturally occurring breast carcinomas invade and destroy lymph vessels rather than promoting their proliferation; that breast tumour lymphangiogenesis may not always occur at physiological VEGF-C levels; and that nodal metastasis can proceed via pre-existing lymphatics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory S M Williams
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
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238
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Abstract
The induction of angiogenesis is a critical point in the development of most human tumors - including melanomas. Some of the earliest studies in the field of tumor angiogenesis showed that transplantation of human melanoma fragments into the hamster cheek pouch stimulated blood vessel growth. Since then, numerous studies have demonstrated that human melanomas also induce angiogenesis. The prognostic importance of the degree of melanoma vascularization, however, has remained controversial. Elevated expression of several angiogenic factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and interleukin-8, has been detected in primary cutaneous melanomas, and the importance of these mediators in promoting melanoma angiogenesis and metastasis has been confirmed in tumor xenotransplant models. Based upon these findings, several clinical trials of angiogenesis inhibitors have been initiated in human melanoma patients and are currently underway. Recent experimental evidence indicates that tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis also plays an important role in mediating tumor spread to regional lymph nodes. These observations have important implications for prognosis and treatment of human melanomas.
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239
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Cursiefen C, Chen L, Dana MR, Streilein JW. Corneal lymphangiogenesis: evidence, mechanisms, and implications for corneal transplant immunology. Cornea 2003; 22:273-81. [PMID: 12658100 DOI: 10.1097/00003226-200304000-00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The normal cornea is devoid of blood and lymphatic vessels but can become vascularized secondary to a variety of corneal diseases and surgical manipulations. Whereas corneal (hem)angiogenesis, i.e., the outgrowth of new blood vessels from preexisting limbal vessels, is obvious both clinically and histologically, proof of associated corneal lymphangiogenesis has long been hampered by invisibility and lack of specific markers. This has changed with the recent discovery of the lymphatic endothelial markers vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3, LYVE-1 (a lymphatic endothelium-specific hyaluronan receptor), Prox 1, and Podoplanin. METHODS We herein summarize the current evidence for lymphangiogenesis in the cornea and describe its molecular markers and mediators. Furthermore, the pathophysiologic implications of corneal lymphangiogenesis for corneal transplant immunology are discussed. RESULTS Whereas corneal angiogenesis in vascularized high-risk beds provides a route of entry for immune effector cells to the graft, lymphangiogenesis enables the exit of antigen-presenting cells and antigenic material from the graft to regional lymph nodes, thus inducing alloimmunization and subsequent graft rejection. CONCLUSIONS Antilymphangiogenic strategies may improve transplant survival both in the high- and low-risk setting of corneal transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claus Cursiefen
- The Schepens Eye Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.
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240
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Hirakawa S, Hong YK, Harvey N, Schacht V, Matsuda K, Libermann T, Detmar M. Identification of vascular lineage-specific genes by transcriptional profiling of isolated blood vascular and lymphatic endothelial cells. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2003; 162:575-86. [PMID: 12547715 PMCID: PMC1851142 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9440(10)63851-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 339] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In mammals, the lymphatic vascular system develops by budding of lymphatic progenitor endothelial cells from embryonic veins to form a distinct network of draining vessels with important functions in the immune response and in cancer metastasis. However, the lineage-specific molecular characteristics of blood vascular versus lymphatic endothelium have remained poorly defined. We isolated lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and blood vascular endothelial cells (BVECs) by immunomagnetic isolation directly from human skin. Cultured LECs but not BVECs expressed the lymphatic markers Prox1 and LYVE-1 and formed LYVE-1-positive vascular tubes after implantation in vivo. Transcriptional profiling studies revealed increased expression of several extracellular matrix and adhesion molecules in BVECs, including versican, collagens, laminin, and N-cadherin, and of the growth factor receptors endoglin and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1/Flt-1. Differential immunostains of human skin confirmed the blood vessel-specific expression of these genes. During embryonic development, endoglin expression was gradually down-regulated on lymphatic endothelium whereas vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 was absent from lymphatics. We also identified several genes with specific expression in LECs. These results demonstrate that some lineage-specific genes are only expressed during distinct developmental stages and they identify new molecular markers for blood vascular and lymphatic endothelium with important implications for future studies of vascular development and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Hirakawa
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02129, USA
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241
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242
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh K Jain
- Edwin L. Steele Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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243
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Abtahian F, Guerriero A, Sebzda E, Lu MM, Zhou R, Mocsai A, Myers EE, Huang B, Jackson DG, Ferrari VA, Tybulewicz V, Lowell CA, Lepore JJ, Koretzky GA, Kahn ML. Regulation of blood and lymphatic vascular separation by signaling proteins SLP-76 and Syk. Science 2003; 299:247-51. [PMID: 12522250 PMCID: PMC2982679 DOI: 10.1126/science.1079477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 310] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Lymphatic vessels develop from specialized endothelial cells in preexisting blood vessels, but the molecular signals that regulate this separation are unknown. Here we identify a failure to separate emerging lymphatic vessels from blood vessels in mice lacking the hematopoietic signaling protein SLP-76 or Syk. Blood-lymphatic connections lead to embryonic hemorrhage and arteriovenous shunting. Expression of slp-76 could not be detected in endothelial cells, and blood-filled lymphatics also arose in wild-type mice reconstituted with SLP-76-deficient bone marrow. These studies reveal a hematopoietic signaling pathway required for separation of the two major vascular networks in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhad Abtahian
- Signal Transduction Program, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Anastasia Guerriero
- Signal Transduction Program, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Eric Sebzda
- Division of Cardiology and Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Min-Min Lu
- Division of Cardiology and Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Rong Zhou
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Attila Mocsai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143–0134, USA
| | - Erin E. Myers
- Signal Transduction Program, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Bin Huang
- Division of Cardiology and Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - David G. Jackson
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Victor A. Ferrari
- Division of Cardiology and Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Victor Tybulewicz
- Division of Immune Cell Biology, National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Clifford A. Lowell
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143–0134, USA
| | - John J. Lepore
- Division of Cardiology and Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Gary A. Koretzky
- Signal Transduction Program, Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. or
| | - Mark L. Kahn
- Division of Cardiology and Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. or
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244
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Wilting J, Tomarev SI, Christ B, Schweigerer L. Lymphangioblasts in Embryonic Lymphangiogenesis. Lymphat Res Biol 2003; 1:33-40. [PMID: 15624319 DOI: 10.1089/15396850360495673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The origin of the lymphatic endothelium, either from the venous system or mesenchymal lymphangioblasts, presents as a persistent controversy. Recently, highly specific markers of the lymphatic endothelium have been found, enabling us to reinvestigate the embryonic origin of the lymphatics. METHODS AND RESULTS The homeobox transcription factor, Prox1, is expressed in lymphatic, but not in blood vascular, endothelial cells throughout murine and avian development and in adult human tissues. Here we show expression of scattered Prox1-positive cells in the dermatome of 4-day-old chick embryos by in situ hybridization and immunostaining. These cells obviously form the Prox1-positive lymphatic networks in the skin of the body wall and the limbs during further embryonic development. The Prox1 protein is localized in the nuclei of the lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs). CONCLUSIONS The results strongly suggest that the superficial lymphatics develop independently from the deep ones, and are derived from mesenchymal lymphangioblasts rather than veins. Our results argue against the unique origin of lymphatics from veins and suggest a heterogenous origin of LECs. The results are discussed in the context of historical data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörg Wilting
- Children's Hospital, Pediatrics I, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.
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245
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Salven P, Mustjoki S, Alitalo R, Alitalo K, Rafii S. VEGFR-3 and CD133 identify a population of CD34+ lymphatic/vascular endothelial precursor cells. Blood 2003; 101:168-72. [PMID: 12393704 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2002-03-0755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 290] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human CD133 (AC133)(+)CD34(+) stem and progenitor cells derived from fetal liver and from bone marrow and blood incorporate a functional population of circulating endothelial precursor cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR-3) regulates cardiovascular development and physiological and pathological lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis. However, the origin of VEGFR-3(+) endothelial cells (ECs) and the mechanisms by which these cells contribute to postnatal physiological processes are not known, and the possible existence of VEGFR-3(+) lymphatic or vascular EC progenitors has not been studied. Using monoclonal antibodies to the extracellular domain of VEGFR-3, we show that 11% +/- 1% of CD34(+) cells isolated from human fetal liver, 1.9% +/- 0.8% CD34(+) cells from human cord blood, and 0.2% +/- 0.1% of CD34(+) cells from healthy adult blood donors are positive for VEGFR-3. CD34(+)VEGFR-3(+) cells from fetal liver coexpress the stem/precursor cell marker CD133 (AC133). Because mature ECs do not express CD133, coexpression of VEGFR-3 and CD133 on CD34(+) cells identifies a unique population of stem and progenitor cells. Incubation of isolated CD34(+)VEGFR-3(+) cells in EC growth medium resulted in a strong proliferation (40-fold in 2 weeks) of nonadherent VEGFR-3(+) cells. Plating of these cells resulted in the formation of adherent VEGFR-3(+)Ac-LDL(+) (Ac-LDL = acetylated low-density lipoprotein) EC monolayers expressing various vascular and lymphatic endothelial-specific surface markers, including CD34, VE-cadherin, CD51/61, CD105, LYVE-1, and podoplanin. These data demonstrate that human CD34(+)CD133(+) cells expressing VEGFR-3 constitute a phenotypically and functionally distinct population of endothelial stem and precursor cells that may play a role in postnatal lymphangiogenesis and/or angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petri Salven
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA.
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246
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Nagy JA, Vasile E, Feng D, Sundberg C, Brown LF, Detmar MJ, Lawitts JA, Benjamin L, Tan X, Manseau EJ, Dvorak AM, Dvorak HF. Vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor induces lymphangiogenesis as well as angiogenesis. J Exp Med 2002; 196:1497-506. [PMID: 12461084 PMCID: PMC2194262 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20021244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 389] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor (VPF/VEGF, VEGF-A) is a multifunctional cytokine with important roles in pathological angiogenesis. Using an adenoviral vector engineered to express murine VEGF-A(164), we previously investigated the steps and mechanisms by which this cytokine induced the formation of new blood vessels in adult immunodeficient mice and demonstrated that the newly formed blood vessels closely resembled those found in VEGF-A-expressing tumors. We now report that, in addition to inducing angiogenesis, VEGF-A(164) also induces a strong lymphangiogenic response. This finding was unanticipated because lymphangiogenesis has been thought to be mediated by other members of the VPF/VEGF family, namely, VEGF-C and VEGF-D. The new "giant" lymphatics generated by VEGF-A(164) were structurally and functionally abnormal: greatly enlarged with incompetent valves, sluggish flow, and delayed lymph clearance. They closely resembled the large lymphatics found in lymphangiomas/lymphatic malformations, perhaps implicating VEGF-A in the pathogenesis of these lesions. Whereas the angiogenic response was maintained only as long as VEGF-A was expressed, giant lymphatics, once formed, became VEGF-A independent and persisted indefinitely, long after VEGF-A expression ceased. These findings raise the possibility that similar, abnormal lymphatics develop in other pathologies in which VEGF-A is overexpressed, e.g., malignant tumors and chronic inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice A Nagy
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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247
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Abstract
Although lymphedema was first described more than a century ago, little progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms that cause it. Investigation of the normal development of the lymphatic system has been hindered by the lack of known lymphatic-specific markers. In 1902, F. Sabin proposed the most widely accepted theory about the origin of the lymphatic vasculature. This model proposed that isolated primitive lymph sacs bud from the endothelium of veins during early development; from these primary lymph sacs, the peripheral lymphatic system spreads by endothelial sprouting into tissues where local capillaries form. In 1999, we identified the homeobox gene Prox1 as the first specific marker of lymphatic endothelial cells. Functional inactivation of Prox1 in mice demonstrated that lymphangiogenesis requires the activity of this gene in a subpopulation of endothelial cells in embryonic veins. Prox1 promotes the development of the lymphatic vasculature by determining the final lymphatic fate of budding venous endothelial cells. On the basis of our findings, we propose a stepwise model of lymphangiogenesis in which lymphatic vasculature development is initiated by the specific expression of Prox1 in a subpopulation of vascular endothelial cells that subsequently adopt a lymphatic vasculature phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermom Oliver
- Department of Genetics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA.
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248
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Hawighorst T, Oura H, Streit M, Janes L, Nguyen L, Brown LF, Oliver G, Jackson DG, Detmar M. Thrombospondin-1 selectively inhibits early-stage carcinogenesis and angiogenesis but not tumor lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic metastasis in transgenic mice. Oncogene 2002; 21:7945-56. [PMID: 12439745 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1205956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2002] [Revised: 08/08/2002] [Accepted: 08/08/2002] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The roles played by the endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) in the early stages of multi-step carcinogenesis and in the control of hematogenous versus lymphatic metastasis are unknown. To investigate these issues we compared tumor development in normal mice and in transgenic mice with targeted overexpression of TSP-1 in the epidermis following a standard two-step chemical skin carcinogenesis regimen. Overexpression of TSP-1 resulted in delayed and reduced development of premalignant epithelial hyperplasias, but did not inhibit the malignant conversion to squamous cell carcinomas. TSP-1 overexpression also suppressed tumor angiogenesis and distant organ metastasis, but failed to inhibit tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis or lymphatic tumor spread to regional lymph nodes. Concomitant with these results, we found that the endothelial TSP-1 receptor CD36 was mostly absent from cutaneous lymphatic vessels. Our findings indicate the potential use of TSP-1 for the prevention of premalignant stages of tumorigenesis and are likely to have implications for the further development of anti-angiogenic cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Hawighorst
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center and Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown 02129, USA
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249
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Hong YK, Harvey N, Noh YH, Schacht V, Hirakawa S, Detmar M, Oliver G. Prox1 is a master control gene in the program specifying lymphatic endothelial cell fate. Dev Dyn 2002; 225:351-7. [PMID: 12412020 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.10163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 387] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Early during development, one of the first indications that lymphangiogenesis has begun is the polarized expression of the homeobox gene Prox1 in a subpopulation of venous endothelial cells. It has been shown previously that Prox1 expression in the cardinal vein promotes and maintains the budding of endothelial cells that will form the lymphatic vascular system. Prox1-deficient mice are devoid of lymphatic vasculature, and in these animals endothelial cells fail to acquire the lymphatic phenotype; instead, they remain as blood vascular endothelium. To investigate whether Prox1 is sufficient to induce a lymphatic fate in blood vascular endothelium, Prox1 cDNA was ectopically expressed by adenoviral gene transfer in primary human blood vascular endothelial cells and by transient plasmid cDNA transfection in immortalized microvascular endothelial cells. Transcriptional profiling combined with quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analyses revealed that Prox1 expression up-regulated the lymphatic endothelial cell markers podoplanin and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3. Conversely, genes such as laminin, vascular endothelial growth factor-C, neuropilin-1, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1, whose expression has been associated with the blood vascular endothelial cell phenotype, were down-regulated. These results were confirmed by the use of specific antibodies against some of these markers in sections of embryonic and adult tissues. These findings validate our previous proposal that Prox1 is a key player in the molecular pathway leading to the formation of lymphatic vasculature and identify Prox1 as a master switch in the program specifying lymphatic endothelial cell fate. That a single gene product was sufficient to re-program the blood vascular endothelium toward a lymphatic phenotype corroborates the close relationship between these two vascular systems and also suggests that during evolution, the lymphatic vasculature originated from the blood vasculature by the additional expression of only a few gene products such as Prox1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Kwon Hong
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA
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250
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Detmar M, Hirakawa S. The formation of lymphatic vessels and its importance in the setting of malignancy. J Exp Med 2002; 196:713-8. [PMID: 12235205 PMCID: PMC2194053 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20021346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Detmar
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center and Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
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