Lymphatic endothelial cells

Lymphangiogenesis is the growth of lymphatic vessels, which is critically controlled by the interaction of VEGF-C and VEGF-D with the receptor VEGF-R3 on lymphatic endothelial cells. 

During embryonic development, VEGFR-3 is mainly found in venous endothelium, but it becomes confined to lymphatic endothelial cells later. VEGFR-3 binds VEGF-C and D and does not bind A (Joukov et al. 1996). 

In mature tissues, VEGFR3 is primarily localized to lymphatic endothelial cells, where binding of VEGF-C stimulates lymphangiogenesis [25], Some inflamed tissues, such as from arthritic joints, display VEGFR3 colocalized with other blood vessel markers on endothelial cells, although a role in the accelerated blood vessel angiogenesis in this tissue has not been clearly demonstrated [26]. 

Endothelial cell model Mouse lymphatic endothelial cells 37°C 24-met- CAF>CAF = CAMF Huang et al., 2009... 

VEGFR3 is a transmembrane protein that is also known as tyrosine-protein kinase receptor FLT4 it is encoded by a gene at chromosomal locus 5q33-qter and is expressed exclusively by lymphatic endothelial cells. In similarity to PPN, VEGFR3 is seen in non-neoplastic lymphatic vessels and in many vascular neoplasms. However, it is more selective than PPN. 

D2-40 Mesothelioma, lymphatic endothelial cell marker Membranous... 

Makinen T, Veikkola T, Mustjoki S et al 2001a Isolated lymphatic endothelial cells transduce growth, survival and migratory signals via the VEGF-C/D receptor VEGFR-3. EMBO J 20 4762-4773... 

Fig. 7 An example of tumor-on-a-chip devices (Adapted from [28]). (A) In vivo breast tumor microenvironment was formed by vascular endothelial cells, lymphatic endothelial cells and tumor cells. (B) Schematic of the tumor-microenvironment-on-chip. (C) Image of fabricated prototype and schematic of the perfusion setup of the tumor-on-a-chip device. (D) Tumor tissue equivalent (lx 107 cells/ml and 6 mg-collagen/ml) was created on the tumor-on-a-chip device and cultured for 3 days. At Day 0, tumor cells, indicated by arrows, loosely aggregated within the collagen matrix. The cells prohferated and hound tightly at Day 3. Scale bar is 300 pm.

Ohhashi T. and Takahashi N. 1991. Acetylcholine-induced release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor from lymphatic endothelial cells. Am. J. Physiol 260 HI 172. 

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