Presence of bone marrow-derived circulating progenitor endothelial cells in the newly formed lymphatic vessels

Blood. 2005 Dec 15;106(13):4184-90. doi: 10.1182/blood-2005-01-0226. Epub 2005 Sep 1.

Abstract

Bone marrow (BM)-derived circulating endothelial precursor cells (CEPCs) have been reported to incorporate into newly formed blood vessels under physiologic and pathologic conditions. However, it is unknown if CEPCs contribute to lymphangiogenesis. Here we show that in a corneal lymphangiogenesis model of irradiated mice reconstituted with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-positive donor bone marrow cells, CEPCs are present in the newly formed lymphatic vessels. Depletion of bone marrow cells by irradiation remarkably suppressed lymphangiogenesis in corneas implanted with fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). Further, transplantation of isolated EGFP-positive/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3-positive (EGFP+/VEGFR-3+) or EGFP+/VEGFR-2+ cell populations resulted in incorporation of EGFP+ cells into the newly formed lymphatic vessels. EGFP+/CEPCs were also present in peritumoral lymphatic vessels of a fibrosarcoma. These data suggest that BM-derived CEPCs may play a role in "lymphvasculogenesis."

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology*
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology*
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Female
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / metabolism
  • Leukemia, Lymphoid / pathology
  • Lymphatic Vessels / cytology*
  • Lymphatic Vessels / metabolism
  • Male
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / genetics
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Stem Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Xlkd1 protein, mouse
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor