Adrenomedullin induces lymphangiogenesis and ameliorates secondary lymphoedema.
OBJECTIVE
Adrenomedullin (AM) is a multifunctional peptide hormone that plays a significant role in vasodilation and angiogenesis. Lymphoedema is a common but refractory disorder that is difficult to be treated with conventional therapy. We therefore investigated whether AM promotes lymphangiogenesis and improves lymphoedema.


RESULTS
The effects of AM on lymphatic endothelial cells (LEC) were investigated. AM promoted proliferation, migration, and network formation of cultured human lymphatic microvascular endothelial cells (HLMVEC). AM increased intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level in HLMVEC. The cell proliferation induced by AM was inhibited by a cAMP antagonist and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors. Phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in HLMVEC was increased by AM. Continuous administration of AM (0.05 microg/kg/min) to BALB/c mice with tail lymphoedema resulted in a decrease in lymphoedema thickness. AM treatment increased the number of lymphatic vessels and blood vessels in the injury site.


CONCLUSIONS
AM promoted LEC proliferation at least in part through the cAMP/MEK/ERK pathway, and infusion of AM induced lymphangiogenesis and improved lymphoedema in mice.
Jin
Donghao
D
Department of Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering, National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, 5-7-1 Fujishirodai, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan.
Harada
Kazuhiko
K
Ohnishi
Shunsuke
S
Yamahara
Kenich
K
Kangawa
Kenji
K
Nagaya
Noritoshi
N
D053607:Adrenomedullin / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004729:Endothelium, Lymphatic / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology
D053607:Adrenomedullin; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases