title: Integrin Alpha-9 Mediates Lymphatic Valve Formation in Corneal Lymphangiogenesis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We recently reported that corneal lymphatic vessels develop integrin alpha-9 (Itga-9)-positive valves during inflammatory lymphangiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to further investigate the role of Itga-9 in corneal lymphatic valve formation in vivo and lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) functions in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  Standard murine suture placement model was used to study the effect of Itga-9 blockade on lymphatic valve formation in vivo using Itga-9 neutralizing antibody. Whole-mount corneas were harvested for immunofluorescent microscopic analysis. Additionally, human LEC culture system was used to examine the effect of Itga-9 gene knockdown on cell functions using small interfering RNAs (siRNAs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Itga-9 blockade in vivo significantly reduced the number of lymphatic valves formed in the inflamed cornea. Moreover, Itga-9 gene knockdown in human LECs suppresses cell functions of proliferation, adhesion, migration, and tube formation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Itga-9 is critically involved in corneal lymphatic valve formation. Further investigation of the Itga-9 pathway may provide novel strategies to treat lymphatic-related diseases occurring both inside and outside the eye.
authors.affiliation: Vision Science Graduate Program, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States 2Center for Eye Disease and Development, Program in Vision Science, and School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States.
authors.forename: Eda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Altiok
authors.affiliation: Vision Science Graduate Program, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States 2Center for Eye Disease and Development, Program in Vision Science, and School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States.
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ecoiffier
authors.affiliation: Vision Science Graduate Program, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States 2Center for Eye Disease and Development, Program in Vision Science, and School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sessa
authors.affiliation: Vision Science Graduate Program, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States 2Center for Eye Disease and Development, Program in Vision Science, and School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States.
authors.forename: Don
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yuen
authors.affiliation: Vision Science Graduate Program, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States 2Center for Eye Disease and Development, Program in Vision Science, and School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States.
authors.forename: Sammy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grimaldo
authors.affiliation: Vision Science Graduate Program, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States 2Center for Eye Disease and Development, Program in Vision Science, and School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States.
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.affiliation: Vision Science Graduate Program, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States 2Center for Eye Disease and Development, Program in Vision Science, and School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Vision Science Graduate Program, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States 2Center for Eye Disease and Development, Program in Vision Science, and School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosner
authors.affiliation: Vision Science Graduate Program, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States 2Center for Eye Disease and Development, Program in Vision Science, and School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States.
authors.forename: Narae
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshimitsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Uede
authors.affiliation: Vision Science Graduate Program, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States 2Center for Eye Disease and Development, Program in Vision Science, and School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States.
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D039001:Integrin alpha Chains / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C
chemical_list: D039001:Integrin alpha Chains; C084613:integrin alpha9