title: Specific role of lymphatic marker podoplanin in retinal pigment epithelial cells.
abstract: Podoplanin is a small transmembrane glycoprotein widely known to be a marker for lymphatic endothelial cells. In this study, we identify a novel localization of podoplanin in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a cellular monolayer critically involved in the visual process. Using a small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated gene silencing approach, we have also demonstrated, for the first time, that podoplanin depletion in human RPE cells leads to a marked reduction of cell aggregates and tight junctions. Additionally, the podoplanin-depleted cells also exhibit a significantly lower rate of proliferation. These data together indicate that podoplanin plays a crucial role in RPE cell functions. Further investigation on this factor may reveal novel mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for RPE-related eye diseases, such as proliferative retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Center for Eye Disease and Development, Programin Vision Science and School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grimaldo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D002450:Cell Communication; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D000098853:Podoplanin
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; C117468:PDPN protein, human; D000098853:Podoplanin