Project description:The lymphatic vascular system plays a key role in cancer progression. Indeed, the activation of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) through the lymphangiogenic process allows the formation of new lymphatic vessels (LVs) that represent the major route for dissemination of solid tumors. This process is governed by a plethora of cancer-derived and microevironmental mediators that strictly activate and control specific molecular pathways in LECs. In this work we used an in vitro model of LEC activation to trigger lymphangiogenesis using a mix of recombinant pro-lymphangiogenic factors (VFS) and a co-culture system with human melanoma cells. Both systems efficiently activated LECs, and under these experimental conditions RNA sequencing was exploited to unveil the transcriptional profile of activated LECs. Our data demonstrate that both recombinant and tumor cell-mediated activation trigger significant molecular pathways associated with endothelial activation, morphogenesis and cytokine-mediated signaling. In addition, this system provides information on new genes to be further investigated in the lymphangiogenesis process and open the possibility for further exploitation in other tumor contexts where lymphatic dissemination plays a relevant role.
Project description:Extracorporeal shockwave treatment was shown to improve orthopaedic diseases, wound healing and to stimulate lymphangiogenesis in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro shockwave treatment (IVSWT) effects on lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) behavior and lymphangiogenesis. We analyzed migration, proliferation, vascular tube forming capability and marker expression changes of LECs after IVSWT compared with HUVECs. Finally, transcriptome- and miRNA analyses were conducted to gain deeper insight into the IVSWT-induced molecular mechanisms in LECs. The results indicate that IVSWT-mediated proliferation changes of LECs are highly energy flux density-dependent and LEC 2D as well as 3D migration was enhanced through IVSWT. IVSWT suppressed HUVEC 3D migration but enhanced vasculogenesis. Furthermore, we identified podoplaninhigh and podoplaninlow cell subpopulations, whose ratios changed upon IVSWT treatment. Transcriptome- and miRNA analyses on these populations showed differences in genes specific for signaling and vascular tissue. Our findings help to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying shockwave-induced lymphangiogenesis in vivo.
Project description:GeneChip® Mouse Gene 2.0 ST Array for C57BL/6 mouse skin dermal primary lymphatic endothelial cells (Ms LEC) and mouse lymphatic endothelial cell line SVEC4-10 GeneChip® Human Gene 2.0 ST Array for human primary lymphatic endothelial cells (Hu LEC) Total RNA from lymphatic cell line SVEC4-10 were used for GeneChip® Mouse Gene 2.0 ST Array. SVEC4-10 samples, human and mouse LEC samples.
Project description:The exit of antigen-presenting cells (APC) and lymphocytes from inflamed skin to afferent lymph is vital for the initiation and maintenance of dermal immune responses. How such exit is achieved and how cells transmigrate the distinct endothelium of lymphatic vessels is however unknown. Here we show that inflammatory cytokines trigger activation of dermal lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) leading to expression of the key leukocyte adhesion receptors ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin, as well as a discrete panel of chemokines and other potential regulators of leukocyte transmigration. Furthermore, we show that both ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 are induced in the dermal lymphatic vessels of mice exposed to skin contact hypersensitivity where they mediate lymph node trafficking of DC via afferent lymphatics. Lastly, we show that TNF_-stimulates both DC adhesion and transmigration of dermal LEC monolayers in vitro and that the process is efficiently inhibited by ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 adhesion-blocking mAbs. These results reveal a CAM-mediated mechanism for recruiting leukocytes to the lymph nodes in inflammation and highlight the process of lymphatic transmigration as a potential new target for anti-inflammatory therapy. Experiment Overall Design: Global gene expression profile of normal dermal lymphatic endothelial cells cultured in media alone (no TNF) compared to that of normal dermal lymphatic endothelial cells stimulated with TNFalpha, 1 ng/ml for 48h.Triplicate biological samples were analyzed from human lymphatic endothelial cells (3 x controls; 3 x TNF treated) and a single sample analyzed from mouse lymphatic endothelial cells (1 x controls; 1 x TNF treated).
Project description:Analysis of ex vivo isolated lymphatic endothelial cells from the dermis of patients to define type 2 diabetes-induced changes. Results preveal aberrant dermal lymphangiogenesis and provide insight into its role in the pathogenesis of persistent skin inflammation in type 2 diabetes. The ex vivo dLEC transcriptome reveals a dramatic influence of the T2D environment on multiple molecular and cellular processes, mirroring the phenotypic changes seen in T2D affected skin. The positively and negatively correlated dLEC transcripts directly cohere to prolonged inflammatory periods and reduced infectious resistance of patients´ skin. Further, lymphatic vessels might be involved in tissue remodeling processes during T2D induced skin alterations associated with impaired wound healing and altered dermal architecture. Hence, dermal lymphatic vessels might be directly associated with T2D disease promotion. Global gene expression profile of normal dermal lymphatic endothelial cells (ndLECs) compared to dermal lymphatic endothelial cells derived from type 2 diabetic patients (dLECs).Quadruplicate biological samples were analyzed from human lymphatic endothelial cells (4 x diabetic; 4 x non-diabetic). subsets: 1 disease state set (dLECs), 1 control set (ndLECs)
Project description:GeneChip® Mouse Gene 2.0 ST Array for C57BL/6 mouse skin dermal primary lymphatic endothelial cells (Ms LEC) and mouse lymphatic endothelial cell line SVEC4-10 GeneChip® Human Gene 2.0 ST Array for human primary lymphatic endothelial cells (Hu LEC) Total RNA from lymphatic cell line SVEC4-10 were used for GeneChip® Mouse Gene 2.0 ST Array.
Project description:<p>Breast cancer metastasis occurs via blood and lymphatic vessels. Breast cancer cells 'educate' lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) to support tumor vascularization and growth. However, despite known metabolic alterations in breast cancer, it remains unclear how lymphatic endothelial cell metabolism is altered in the tumor microenvironment and its effect in lymphangiogenic signaling in LECs. We analyzed metabolites inside LECs in co-culture with MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and SK-BR-3 breast cancer cell lines using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics, Seahorse, and the spatial distribution of metabolic co-enzymes using optical redox ratio imaging to describe breast cancer-LEC metabolic crosstalk. LECs co-cultured with breast cancer cells exhibited cell-line dependent altered metabolic profiles, including significant changes in lactate concentration in breast cancer co-culture. Cell metabolic phenotype analysis using Seahorse showed LECs in co-culture exhibited reduced mitochondrial respiration, increased reliance on glycolysis and reduced metabolic flexibility. Optical redox ratio measurements revealed reduced NAD(P)H levels in LECs potentially due to increased NAD(P)H utilization to maintain redox homeostasis. 13C-labeled glucose experiments did not reveal lactate shuttling into LECs from breast cancer cells, yet showed other 13C signals in LECs suggesting internalized metabolites and metabolic exchange between the two cell types. We also determined that breast cancer co-culture stimulated lymphangiogenic signaling in LECs, yet activation was not stimulated by lactate alone. Increased lymphangiogenic signaling suggests paracrine signaling between LECs and breast cancer cells which could have a pro-metastatic role.</p>
Project description:The lymphatic vascular system maintains tissue fluid homeostasis, helps mediate afferent immune responses and promotes cancer metastasis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have recently emerged as key and potent regulators of the genome that control virtually all aspects of cell and organism biology. Surprisingly, the physiological importance and functional activities of miRNAs in the lymphatic vascular system have not been explored. To address this, we first defined the in vitro miRNA expression profiles of primary human lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and blood vascular endothelial cells (BVECs). Comparative analysis of these profiles identified 4 BVEC-signature and 2 LEC-signature miRNAs. Further expression analysis by quantitative real-time PCR analysis and by in situ hybridization (ISH) studies confirmed these vascular lineage-specific expression patterns in vivo. Functional characterization of the BVEC-signature miRNA, miR-31, identified a novel BVEC-specific post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism that inhibits lymphatic-specific transcription programs in vitro and lymphatic vascular development during Xenopus embryogenesis. These effects are, in part, mediated via direct post-transcriptional repression of PROX1, a master regulator of lymphatic lineage-specific differentiation. Together, these findings indicate that miR-31, and miRNAs in general, are potent regulators of vascular lineage-specific differentiation and development.
Project description:Afferent lymphatic vessels bring antigens and diverse populations of leukocytes to draining lymph nodes, but efferent lymphatics allow only lymphocytes to leave the nodes. Despite fundamental importance of afferent vs. efferent lymphatics in immune response and cancer spread, molecular characteristics of these different arms of the lymphatic vasculature are largely unknown. In this work we report marked transcriptional differences between afferent and efferent lymphatic endothelial cells. Mouse inguinal, axillary, and brachial lymphnodes were collected and cryomolds prepared for laser-capture microdissection. Frozen sections were stained with various cell marker antibodies and micro-dissection performed to collect lymphatic endothelial cells. Total RNA was extracted from the cells and used in microarray analysis. Alternatively, popliteal, caudal, lumbar, inguinal, mesenteric, renal, axillary, brachial, deep and superficial cervical LN were enzymatically digested, the cells stained, and FACs sorted before RNA isolation.