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Updated: May 11, 2026
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Non-invasive Optical Imaging of the Lymphatic Vasculature of a Mouse
Published on: March 8, 2013
A practical and sensitive method of quantitating lymphangiogenesis in vivo
Mousumi Majumder1, Xiping Xin, Peeyush K Lala
1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Summary
Researchers developed a new assay to study lymphangiogenesis, the formation of lymphatic vessels. This directed in vivo lymphangiogenesis assay (DIVLA) effectively measures lymphatic vessel growth and can identify agents that promote or inhibit it.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Assay Development
Background:
- Current assays for studying lymphangiogenesis are inadequate.
- Understanding lymphangiogenesis is crucial for cancer and vascular research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel directed in vivo lymphangiogenesis assay (DIVLA).
- To assess the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-D in lymphangiogenesis.
- To differentiate between lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Modified a directed in vivo angiogenesis assay using silicon tubes (angioreactors) implanted in mice.
- Utilized growth factor-reduced basement membrane extract (BME) with various factors (VEGF-D, FGF-2/VEGF-A) or breast cancer cells (MDA-MD-468LN) with altered VEGF-D expression.
- Quantified lymphangiogenesis via Evans Blue tracing, Lyve1 expression (mRNA/protein), and dual immunostaining (Lyve1/Cd31, PROX-1/Cd31, Podoplanin/Cd31).
- Validated the assay in a syngeneic murine tumor model.
Main Results:
- DIVLA successfully detected and measured lymphangiogenesis.
- VEGF-D and VEGF-D-producing cancer cells significantly promoted lymphangiogenesis.
- VEGF-D silencing reduced lymphangiogenesis.
- Angiogenesis was also modulated by the tested factors, allowing for comparison with lymphangiogenesis.
- The assay demonstrated reproducibility across different models and markers.
Conclusions:
- DIVLA is a practical and sensitive assay for studying lymphangiogenesis.
- The assay is suitable for identifying lymphangiogenic agents and understanding regulatory mechanisms.
- DIVLA facilitates research into shared and distinct pathways of lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis.
- This assay has broad applicability in vascular and tumor biology research.
