title: Isolation and Characterization of Human Lung Lymphatic Endothelial Cells.
abstract: Characterization of lymphatic endothelial cells from the respiratory system may be crucial to investigate the role of the lymphatic system in the normal and diseased lung. We describe a simple and inexpensive method to harvest, isolate, and expand lymphatic endothelial cells from the human lung (HL-LECs). Fifty-five samples of healthy lung selected from patients undergoing lobectomy were studied. A two-step purification tool, based on paramagnetic sorting with monoclonal antibodies to CD31 and Podoplanin, was employed to select a pure population of HL-LECs. The purity of HL-LECs was assessed by morphologic criteria, immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, and functional assays. Interestingly, these cells retain in vitro several receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) implicated in cell survival and proliferation. HL-LECs represent a clinically relevant cellular substrate to study lymphatic biology, lymphoangiogenesis, interaction with microbial agents, wound healing, and anticancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lorusso
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Falco
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Madeddu
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Frati
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cavalli
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Gallia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Graiani
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gervasi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rinaldi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological, and Translational Sciences (S.Bi.Bi.T.), University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Costanza
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lagrasta
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maselli
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological, and Translational Sciences (S.Bi.Bi.T.), University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gnetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological, and Translational Sciences (S.Bi.Bi.T.), University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Silini
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Department, Humanitas Clinical and Research Centre, 20089 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Quaini
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ampollini
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carbognani
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Quaini
mesh_terms: D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology* / Q000601:surgery; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000166:cytology