title: Macrophages are important mediators of either tumor- or inflammation-induced lymphangiogenesis.
abstract: The lymphatic system provides important functions for tissue fluid homeostasis and immune response. Lymphangiogenesis, the formation of new lymphatics, comprises a series of complex cellular events in vitro or in vivo, e.g., proliferation, differentiation, and sprouting. Recent evidence has implied that macrophages act as a direct structural contributor to lymphatic endothelial walls or secret VEGF-C/-D and VEGF-A to initiate lymphangiogenesis in inflamed or tumor tissues. Bone marrow-derived macrophages are versatile cells that express different functional programs in response to exposure to microenvironmental signals, and can be identified by specific expression of a number of proteins, F4/80, CD11b, and CD68. Several causative factors, e.g., NF-κB, IL-1β, TNF-α, SDF-1, M-CSF, especially TonEBP/VEGF-C signaling, may be actively involved in macrophage-induced lymphangiogenesis. Alteration of macrophage phenotype and function has a profound effect on the development and progression of inflammation and malignancy, and macrophage depletion for controlling lymphangiogenesis may provide a novel approach for prevention and treatment of lymphatic-associated diseases.
authors: Department of Human Anatomy, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Oita 879-5593, Japan. JI@oita-u.ac.jp
authors: Rui-Cheng
authors: RC
authors: Ji
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000502:physiology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000502:physiology; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000502:physiology; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000502:physiology*; D000090323:Mannose Receptor; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins / Q000502:physiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000502:physiology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000502:physiology; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C / Q000502:physiology; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; C069847:CD66 antigens; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D000090323:Mannose Receptor; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing; C449926:STAB1 protein, human; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D042582:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C; D040321:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3