[Characterization of markers and growth factors for lymphatic endothelium]

A major advance in the field of lymphangiogenesis has come from the discovery of lymphatic endothelium-specific markers. VEGFR-3 was the first molecule found to be expressed in the lymphatic endothelium. Two members of the VEGF family, VEGF-C and VEGF-D are lymphangiogenic when activate VEGFR-3. In addition to VEGFR-3, some other genes have been shown to be mainly expressed in lymphatic endothelial cells. Prox-1 is a homeobox transcription factor gene product involved in the growth and elongation of the lymphatic vessel sprouts during development. Lymphatic vessel endothelial HA receptor-1 (LYVE-1), is a receptor for extracellular matrix/lymphatic fluid glycosaminoglycan in lymphatic endothelial cells. Finally, podoplanin is a glomerular podocyte membrane mucoprotein, which occurs together with VEGFR-3 in the lymphatic endothelium. The discovery of molecules that are specifically expressed by lymphatic endothelium has made possible more accurate and simplified lymphatic vessel identification and targeting the lymphatic vasculature in the treatment of various diseases.