Plasticity in lymphangiogenesis regresses after the postnatal period

10-09-2006

According to recent research from Finland, "Lymphatic vessel plasticity and stability are of considerable importance when attempting to treat diseases associated with the lymphatic vasculature. Development of lymphatic vessels during embryogenesis is dependent on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C but not VEGF-D."

"Using a recombinant adenovirus encoding a soluble form of their receptor VEGFR-3 (AdVEGFR-3-Ig), we studied lymphatic vessel dependency on VEGF-C and VEGF-D induced VEGFR-3 signaling in postnatal and adult mice. Transduction with AdVEGFR-3-Ig led to regression of lymphatic capillaries and medium-sized lymphatic vessels in mice under 2 weeks of age without affecting collecting lymphatic vessels or the blood vasculature," said T. Karpanen and colleagues, University of Helsinki.

Researchers said, "No effect was observed after this period. The lymphatic capillaries of neonatal mice also regressed partially in response to recombinant VEGFR-3-Ig or blocking antibodies against VEGFR-3, but not to adenovirus-encoded VEGFR-2-Ig. Despite sustained inhibitory VEGFR-3-Ig levels, lymphatic vessel regrowth was observed at 4 weeks of age. Interestingly, whereas transgenic expression of VEGF-C in the skin induced lymphatic hyperplasia even during embryogenesis, similar expression of VEGF-D resulted in lymphangiogenesis predominantly after birth.

"These results indicate considerable plasticity of lymphatic vessels during the early postnatal period but not thereafter, suggesting that anti-lymphangiogenic therapy can be safely applied in adults."

Karpanen and colleagues published their study in American Journal of Pathology (Lymphangiogenic growth factor responsiveness is modulated by postnatal lymphatic vessel maturation. Am J Pathol, 2006;169(2):708-718).

For additional information, contact K. Alitalo, University of Helsinki, Laboratory Molecular Cancer Biology, Biomedicum, POB 63, Haartmaninkatu 8, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.

Publisher contact information for the American Journal of Pathology is: American Society for Investigative Pathology, Inc., 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814-3993, USA.

Keywords: Helsinki, Finland, Angiogenesis, Embryogenesis, Lymphangiogenesis, Recombinant Technology, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Lymphatic Vessel, Plasticity, Drug Development, Molecular Biology, Postnatal, Birth.

This article was prepared by Life Science Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Life Science Weekly via NewsRx.com.