Open AccessExpression of the fms-like tyrosine kinase 4 gene becomes restricted to lymphatic endothelium during development.
Author(s) -
Arja Kaipainen,
Jaana Korhonen,
Tuija Mustonen,
Victor W.M. van Hinsbergh,
Guohua Fang,
Daniel Dumont,
Martin L. Breitman,
Kari Alitalo
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.92.8.3566
Subject(s) - lymphatic system , biology , lymphatic endothelium , lymphangiogenesis , pathology , in situ hybridization , high endothelial venules , endothelium , receptor tyrosine kinase , mesenchyme , gene expression , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , embryo , gene , medicine , endocrinology , genetics , cancer , signal transduction , metastasis
We have recently cloned the human fms-like tyrosine kinase 4 gene FLT4, whose protein product is related to two vascular endothelial growth factor receptors FLT1 and KDR/FLK1. Here the expression of FLT4 has been analyzed by in situ hybridization during mouse embryogenesis and in adult human tissues. The FLT4 mRNA signals first became detectable in the angioblasts of head mesenchyme, the cardinal vein, and extraembryonally in the allantois of 8.5-day postcoitus (p.c.) embryos. In 12.5-day p.c. embryos, the FLT4 signal decorated developing venous and presumptive lymphatic endothelia, but arterial endothelia were negative. During later stages of development, FLT4 mRNA became restricted to vascular plexuses devoid of red cells, representing developing lymphatic vessels. Only the lymphatic endothelia and some high endothelial venules expressed FLT4 mRNA in adult human tissues. Increased expression occurred in lymphatic sinuses in metastatic lymph nodes and in lymphangioma. Our results suggest that FLT4 is a marker for lymphatic vessels and some high endothelial venules in human adult tissues. They also support the theory on the venous origin of lymphatic vessels.