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Lymphatics of the Avian Embryonic Heart
Author(s) -
Karunamuni Ganga,
Wikenheiser Jamie,
ParsonsWingerter Patricia,
Watanabe Michiko
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a230-b
Subject(s) - lymphatic system , lymphangiogenesis , embryonic heart , embryonic stem cell , lymphatic endothelium , biology , quail , heart development , chorioallantoic membrane , immunostaining , anatomy , morphogenesis , pathology , microbiology and biotechnology , embryo , immunology , medicine , immunohistochemistry , endocrinology , genetics , gene , biochemistry , cancer , metastasis
The lymphatics maintain homeostasis by regulating the fluid balance of the internal environment, transporting antigen‐presenting cells to lymphoid organs, and absorbing fat from the intestine. The lymphatic network is also one of the major routes by which tumor cells can metastasize. The lymphatics of several adult organ systems have been described, but this is not the case for the embryonic heart. We investigated the lymphatics of the embryonic heart by immunostaining whole quail hearts for Prox‐1, which has been linked to lymphatic development. The antibody to human Prox‐1 has already been used to identify lymphatic endothelial cells during lymphangiogenesis in chorioallantoic membranes. Early in cardiac development when the heart is looped and has distinct atrial chambers, the Prox‐1 labeled cells are scattered over the atrium, the ventricle, and the base of the outflow tract. At the end of ventricular septation and when the cardiac morphogenesis is largely complete, the Prox‐1 positive cells are organized into vessels, with clusters of Prox‐1 positive cells at regular intervals, which are found both on and at the base of the great vessels. Thus, the avian embryonic heart appears to acquire a lymphatic network during cardiogenesis in parallel with blood vessel development. Source of Research Support: NIH R01 ES013507 , HL65314, HL0775436, HL083048.