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Distribution of LYVE-1 and CD31 in postnatal rat masseter muscle
Iwao Sato1, Kosuke Imura, Yoko Miwa
1Department of Anatomy, School of Life Dentistry at Tokyo, Nippon Dental University, 1-9-20 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan. iwaoa1@tokyo.ndu.ac.jp
Insights
Changes in feeding patterns alter blood vessel development in the masseter muscle. Researchers observed distinct protein levels of LYVE-1 and CD31, indicating functional shifts in vascular networks during jaw muscle development.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Muscle Physiology
Background:
- The masseter muscle's vascular system undergoes significant changes from suckling to mastication.
- Lymphatic vessel hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE-1) marks lymphatic endothelial cells, while PECAM (CD31) marks both vascular and lymphatic cells.
- The formation of lymphatic capillaries in the masseter muscle and their role in jaw movement are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution and expression of LYVE-1 and CD31 during postnatal masseter muscle development.
- To explore the relationship between feeding patterns, vascular development, and functional changes in the masseter muscle.
Main Methods:
- Double immunofluorescence staining to visualize LYVE-1 and CD31 positive cells.
- Western blotting to analyze protein levels of LYVE-1 and CD31 in superficial and deep regions of the masseter muscle.
- Comparative analysis of vascular marker distribution in different age groups (3-7 weeks postnatal).
Main Results:
- LYVE-1 and CD31 positive reactions showed similar regional distribution.
- Significant differences in LYVE-1 and CD31 protein levels were found between superficial and deep masseter muscle regions.
- Increased CD31 protein levels in the deep region correlated with increased small vessel branching.
Conclusions:
- Differential expression of LYVE-1 and CD31 suggests region-specific alterations in vascular properties within the developing masseter muscle.
- These vascular changes likely reflect adaptations to altered feeding patterns, transitioning from suckling to mastication.
- The findings provide insights into the developmental mechanisms of vascular networks supporting jaw muscle function.
Abstract:
During the development of blood vascular systems in the masseter muscle, one functional property of the blood supply via capillaries is altered by the change in feeding pattern from suckling to mastication. The lymphatic vessel hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE-1) is a marker of lymphatic endothelial cells. The PECAM (CD31) is also an important marker of vascular endothelial cells and lymphatic cells. The mechanisms by which circulating lymphatic endothelial cells from blood vessels in masseter muscle form a network of lymphatic capillaries and vessels functioning in jaw muscle movement remain unknown. In our results, LYVE-1- and CD31- positive reactions were located in almost identical regions at the stages examined using double immunofluorescence staining. However, the level of protein for LYVE-1 and CD31 differed between superficial and deep regions in postnatal rat masseter muscle using Western blotting analysis. The different distribution of LYVE-1 and CD31 antibody reactions was found in the deep region in contrast to that of the superficial area in 3-7-week-old rat masseter muscles. Concomitant with the increased level of protein for CD31 in the deep region, many small vessels branch in this region during development in rat masseter muscle. Therefore, different levels of protein and immunohistochemical reactions for CD31- and LYVE-1-positive cells may reflect alterations in the functional properties of the blood supply and collection via capillaries due to the changes in feeding pattern.
