Regenerating lizard tails: a new model for investigating lymphangiogenesis

Impaired lymphatic drainage in human limbs causes the debilitating swelling termed lymphoedema. In mammals, known growth factors involved in the control of lymphangiogenesis (growth of new lymph vessels) are vascular endothelial growth factors-C and -D (VEGF-C/D). Here we characterize a model of lymphangiogenesis in which the tail of lizards is regenerated without becoming oedematous. Three weeks after the tail is shed (autotomy), there are a small number of large diameter lymphatic vessels in the regenerated tail. Thereafter, the number increases and the diameter decreases. A functional lymphatic network, as determined by lymphoscintigraphy, is established 6 wk after autotomy. The new network differs morphologically and functionally from that in original tails. This lymphatic regeneration is associated with an up-regulation of a reptilian homologue of the VEGF-C/D protein family (rVEGF-C/D), as determined by Western blot analysis using a human reactive VEGF-C polyclonal antibody. Regenerating lizard tails are potentially useful models for studying the molecular basis of lymphangiogenesis with a view to developing possible treatments for human lymphoedema.