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Isolation of Human Lymphatic Endothelial Cells by Multi-parameter Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting
Published on: May 1, 2015
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Aberrant lymphatic endothelial progenitors in lymphatic malformation development.
June K Wu1, Christopher Kitajewski2, Maia Reiley2
1Department of Surgery, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America.
Plos One
|February 27, 2015
Summary
Researchers identified a novel progenitor cell in lymphatic malformations (LMs). These CD133+ cells differentiate into lymphatic endothelial cells, potentially explaining the complex nature of LMs and guiding future treatments.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Lymphatic malformations (LMs) are vascular anomalies with poorly understood origins.
- Current understanding suggests LMs arise from abnormal lymphangiogenesis.
- The lack of knowledge about LM pathobiology impedes effective treatment development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular origins and pathobiology of lymphatic malformations.
- To identify specific cell populations within LM tissues that contribute to lesion formation.
- To characterize the differentiation potential of cells isolated from LMs.
Main Methods:
- Immunostaining of LM tissues to identify cell markers.
- Isolation and characterization of CD133+ and CD133- cells from patient-derived LMs.
- In vitro differentiation assays to assess multipotency.
- In vivo mouse xenograft models to study LM formation and cell behavior.
Main Results:
- LM tissues and CD133+ LM cells expressed stem cell markers (CD133, NANOG, Oct4) and endothelial/lymphatic markers.
- CD133+ LM cells demonstrated multipotency, differentiating into various cell types including lymphatic endothelial cells.
- CD133- LM cells exhibited characteristics of differentiated lymphatic endothelial cells and lacked multipotency.
- In vivo, CD133+ LM cells formed LM-like structures, recapitulating the human phenotype.
Conclusions:
- A novel lymphatic malformation progenitor cell population (CD133+) has been identified.
- This progenitor cell differentiates into lymphatic endothelial cells, forming the aberrant structures seen in LMs.
- These findings offer insights into the pathogenesis of LMs and may inform therapeutic strategies for this clinically challenging condition.
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