Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4
pubmed:dateCreated
2004-9-21
pubmed:abstractText
Vascular endothelial growth factor-3 (VEGFR-3), also known as Fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor 4 (FLT-4), was thought to be expressed exclusively on the lymphatic endothelium, high endothelial venules, and rarely on vascular endothelium. It plays a critical role in the development of lymphatics and cancer metastasis. Very recently, however, VEGFR-3 expression has been identified on dendritic cells (DCs) in the inflamed cornea, and related to the trafficking of these cells to lymphoid organs. The current study was performed to evaluate the expression of VEGFR-3 in the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva and limbus of normal and inflamed murine eyes were excised and stained for VEGFR-3. Immunofluorescence double staining for CD11b, CD11c, CD31, CD45, GR-1, CD3, CD80, LYVE-1 and class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen expression, using confocal microscopy, was performed to further phenotype the VEGFR-3+ cells. VEGFR-3 and LYVE-1 expression was observed on lymphatic, but not blood vessel, endothelium. In addition, we also detected expression of VEGFR-3 on non-endothelial CD45+ bone marrow-derived cells in the conjunctiva of normal and, in an increased number, in inflamed eyes. These cells were uniformly CD11b+, CD3-, and Gr-1-, suggesting a monocytic origin, similar to the VEGFR-3+ cells in the cornea. Nearly half of the VEGFR-3+ cells were also positive for MHC class II expression, and none were positive for CD80 (B7-1), indicating their relative immature status. In contrast to the recently described VEGFR3+ corneal cells, however, VEGFR-3+ conjunctival cells did not express the DC marker CD11c. We conclude that in addition to its known role in lymphangiogenesis, VEGFR-3 is also expressed by a conjunctival monocyte/macrophage lineage, implicating a potential relationship between lymphangiogenesis and leukocyte trafficking in the ocular surface.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Oct
pubmed:issn
0014-4835
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
79
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
553-61
pubmed:dateRevised
2009-11-19
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2004
pubmed:articleTitle
Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) on monocytic bone marrow-derived cells in the conjunctiva.
pubmed:affiliation
Laboratory of Immunology, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. pedram.hamrah@louisville.edu
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.