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Visualization of embryonic lymphangiogenesis advances the use of the zebrafish model for research in cancer and lymphatic pathologies
Author(s) -
Flores Maria Vega,
Hall Christopher J.,
Crosier Kathryn E.,
Crosier Philip S.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.22328
Subject(s) - lymphangiogenesis , zebrafish , biology , lymphatic system , lymphatic endothelium , embryonic stem cell , vascular endothelial growth factor c , microbiology and biotechnology , cancer research , metastasis , cancer , immunology , vascular endothelial growth factor a , vegf receptors , genetics , vascular endothelial growth factor , gene
Abstract Lymphangiogenesis induced during tumor growth contributes to metastasis. Genetic and chemical screens using the zebrafish model have the potential to enhance our understanding of lymphangiogenesis, and lead to the discovery of pharmacological agents with activity in the lymphatic system. Large‐scale screening of lymphatic development in the whole zebrafish embryo requires a specific lymphatic endothelial cell marker. We isolated the zebrafish ortholog of Lyve1 , and analyzed its expression pattern during embryogenesis, and under conditions where key regulators of lymphangiogenesis such as Prox1 and VegfC were depleted. Like humans, zebrafish embryos form lymph sacs, lymphangioblasts arise from venous endothelia, and they form asymmetric left and right collecting ducts. By monitoring the earliest lymphatic sprouting in the head, a pilot drug assay was performed showing rapamycin, an inhibitor of mammalian lymphangiogenesis, can also suppress zebrafish lymphangiogenesis. This work opens up a novel opportunity to further the understanding of, and potentially manipulate, human lymphangiogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 239:2128–2135, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.