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Lymphatics, Cancer and Zebrafish.
Jonathan W Astin1, Philip S Crosier2
1Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019 Auckland Mail Centre, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand. j.astin@auckland.ac.nz.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|May 12, 2016
Summary
Zebrafish models offer new insights into tumor lymphangiogenesis, the growth of new lymphatic vessels that aids cancer spread. This research explores using zebrafish to study tumor-induced lymphangiogenesis and develop anti-lymphatic therapies.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Cancer Metastasis
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Solid tumors metastasize via lymphatic vasculature, involving tumor lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic remodeling.
- Current understanding relies on mouse models and developmental lymphangiogenesis studies.
- Zebrafish are established models for developmental lymphangiogenesis due to in vivo imaging, genetic tractability, and conserved development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize zebrafish contributions to lymphangiogenesis research.
- To explore the potential of zebrafish models for studying tumor-induced lymphangiogenesis.
- To discuss the utility of zebrafish as a platform for anti-lymphatic therapeutic development.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on zebrafish lymphangiogenesis.
- Proposal for combining zebrafish cancer models with lymphatic reporter lines.
- Discussion of zebrafish as a screening platform for therapeutics.
Main Results:
- Zebrafish have significantly advanced understanding of lymphatic sprouting and remodeling.
- No direct zebrafish models for tumor lymphangiogenesis currently exist.
- Zebrafish offer a promising platform for future research in this area.
Conclusions:
- Zebrafish are valuable models for studying lymphatic vessel development.
- Integrating zebrafish cancer models with lymphatic reporters could illuminate tumor lymphangiogenesis.
- Zebrafish present a viable model for discovering novel anti-lymphatic drugs to combat cancer metastasis.
