Abstract
Dysmorphogenesis of lymph nodes displayed in a fork head transcription factor Foxc2 haploinsufficient mice-a model for lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome-was studied by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. The Foxc2 heterozygous mice manifested lymph node hyperplasia composed of conspicuous proliferation of endothelial cells forming the lymphatic sinus and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA)-immunopositive fibroblast-like cells in the lymphatic pulp, particularly around the sinus. The hyperplastic sinus endothelial cells and the SMA-positive cells demonstrated distinct immunolocalization of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B, a crucial chemoattractant for vascular mural cell recruitment, and its receptor, PDGFR-β, respectively. The observations suggest that the sinus endothelial cells elicit abnormal recruitment of the fibroblast-like cells as a type of vascular mural cells via PDGF-B/PDGFR-β signaling in lymph nodes of the Foxc2 heterozygotes. Furthermore, in Foxc2 heterozygous lymph nodes, recruited SMA-positive cells displayed an intense immunoreaction for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, a highly specific lymphangiogenic factor, and its receptor, VEGFR-3, was preferentially distributed in the lymphatic sinus endothelial cells. These findings suggest that an interactive cycle between lymphatic sinus endothelial cells and the fibroblast-like cells, which involves PDGF-B/PDGFR-β and VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 signaling, is essential for aberrant hyperplasia of the lymphatic sinus and the fibroblast-like cells in Foxc2 haploinsufficiency.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 603-613 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Histochemistry and Cell Biology |
Volume | 135 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 1 2011 |
Keywords
- Foxc2 haploinsufficiency
- Immunohistochemistry
- Lymph node
- Mouse
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Histology
- Molecular Biology
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Cell Biology