title: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor induces in vitro lymphangiogenesis.
abstract: Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is reported to induce differentiation in cells of the monocyte lineage and angiogenesis in vascular endothelial cells, but its effects on lymphangiogenesis is uncertain. Here we examined the effects and the mechanisms of G-CSF-induced lymphangiogenesis using human lymphatic endothelial cells (hLECs). Our results showed that G-CSF induced capillary-like tube formation, migration and proliferation of hLECs in a dose- and time-dependent manner and enhanced sprouting of thoracic duct. G-CSF increased phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2 in hLECs. Supporting the observations, specific inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase and MAPK suppressed the G-CSF-induced in vitro lymphangiogenesis and sprouting. Intraperitoneal administration of G-CSF to mice also stimulated peritoneal lymphangiogenesis. These findings suggest that G-CSF is a lymphangiogenic factor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ae Sin
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Dal
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Susbin Raj
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Wagle
authors.forename: Jung Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yu Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Kyung Pyo
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Sik
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sung Kwang
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Won
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D011494:Protein Kinases
keywords: Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor; Lymphangiogenesis; Lymphangiogenic factor; Lymphatic endothelial cell