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Lymphatic endothelial regulation, lymphoedema, and lymph node metastasis
Marika J Karkkainen1, Kari Alitalo
1Molecular/Cancer Biology Laboratory and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Haartman Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland. Marika.Karkkainen@Helsinki.Fl
Abstract:
Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) mediates lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) growth, migration, and survival by binding VEGF-C and VEGF-D. Recent studies have revealed new regulators of the lymphatic endothelium, such as the transcription factor Prox1, and the cell surface proteins podoplanin and lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE-1). Furthermore, the isolation of LECs now allows detailed molecular studies of the factors regulating the lymphatic vasculature. These studies are aimed at targeting the lymphatic vasculature in the treatment of various diseases, such as tumour metastasis and lymphoedema.