Dataset Information

Endothelial-specific depletion of TGF-β signaling affects lymphatic function.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a multifunctional cytokine involved in cell differentiation, cell proliferation, and tissue homeostasis. Although TGF-β signaling is essential for maintaining blood vessel functions, little is known about the role of TGF-β in lymphatic homeostasis.

Methods

To delineate the role of TGF-β signaling in lymphatic vessels, TβRII^fl/fl mice were crossed with Prox1-Cre^ERT2 mice to generate TβRII^fl/fl; Prox1-Cre^ERT2 mice. The TβRII gene in the lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) of the conditional knockout TβRII^iΔLEC mice was selectively deleted using tamoxifen. The effects of TβRII gene deletion on embryonic lymphangiogenesis, postnatal lymphatic structure and drainage function, tumor lymphangiogenesis, and lymphatic tumor metastasis were investigated.

Results

Deficiency of LEC-specific TGF-β signaling in embryos, where lymphangiogenesis is active, caused dorsal edema with dilated lymphatic vessels at E13.5. Postnatal mice in which lymphatic vessels had already been formed displayed dilation and increased bifurcator of lymphatic vessels after tamoxifen administration. Similar dilation was also observed in tumor lymphatic vessels. The drainage of FITC-dextran, which was subcutaneously injected into the soles of the feet of the mice, was reduced in TβRII^iΔLEC mice. Furthermore, Lewis lung carcinoma cells constitutively expressing GFP (LLC-GFP) transplanted into the footpads of the mice showed reduced patellar lymph node metastasis.

Conclusion

These data suggest that TGF-β signaling in LECs maintains the structure of lymphatic vessels and lymphatic homeostasis, in addition to promoting tumor lymphatic metastasis. Therefore, suppression of TGF-β signaling in LECs might be effective in inhibiting cancer metastasis.

SUBMITTER: Fukasawa K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8638105 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundFibroblast behavior and cell-matrix interactions of cells from normal and idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) subsynovial connective tissue (SSCT) with and without Triamcinolone Acetonide (TA) were compared in this study. A cell-seeded gel contraction model was applied to investigate the effect of steroid treatment on SSCT fibroblast gene expression and function.MethodsSSCT cells were obtained from CTS patients and fresh cadavers. Cells were isolated by mechanical and collagenase digestion. Collagen gels (1 mg/ml) were prepared with SSCT cells (1 × 106/mL). A sterile Petri dish with a cloning ring in the center was prepared. The area between the ring and outer dish was filled with cell-seeded collagen solution and gelled for 1 h. The gel was released from the outer way of the petri dish to allow gel contraction. Cell seeded gels were treated with 10 M triamcinolone acetonide (TA) or vehicle (DMSO) in modified MEM. Every 4 h for 3 days the contracting gels were photographed and areas calculated. Duplicate contraction tests were performed with each specimen, and the averages were used in the analyses, which were conducted using two-factor analysis of variance in a generalized linear model framework utilizing generalized estimating equations (GEE) to account for the correlation between samples. The contraction rate was determined by the area change over time, and the decay time constant was calculated. A customized mechanical test system was used to determine gel stiffness and tensile strength. Gene expression was assessed using Human Fibrosis and Cell Motility PCR arrays.ResultsTA-treated gels had a significantly higher contraction rate, tensile strength and stiffness than the untreated gels. Proteinases involved in remodeling had increased expression in TA-treated gels of the patient group. Pro-fibrotic genes and ECM regulators, such as TGF-β, collagens and integrins, were down-regulated by TA, indicating that TA may work in part by decreasing fibrotic gene expression.ConclusionsThis study showed that TA affects cell-matrix interaction and suppresses fibrotic gene expression in the SSCT cells of CTS patients.