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Electric current‐induced lymphatic activation
Author(s) -
Kajiya Kentaro,
MatsumotoOkazaki Yuko,
Sawane Mika,
Fukada Kaedeko,
Takasugi Yuya,
Akai Tomonori,
Saito Naoki,
Mori Yuichiro
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.108
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0625
pISSN - 0906-6705
DOI - 10.1111/exd.12562
Subject(s) - lymphangiogenesis , lymphatic endothelium , microbiology and biotechnology , lymphatic system , focal adhesion , stimulation , vascular endothelial growth factor c , inflammation , mapk/erk pathway , p38 mitogen activated protein kinases , lymphatic vessel , phosphorylation , chemistry , cancer research , biology , immunology , vascular endothelial growth factor , medicine , vascular endothelial growth factor a , endocrinology , vegf receptors , metastasis , cancer
Abstract The lymphatic system in skin plays important roles in drainage of wastes and in the afferent phase of immune response. We previously showed that activation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor ( VEGFR ), specifically the VEGFC / VEGFR ‐3 pathway, attenuates oedema and inflammation by promoting lymphangiogenesis, suggesting a protective role of lymphatic vessels against skin inflammation. However, it remains unknown how physical stimuli promote lymphatic function. Here, we show that lymphatic endothelial cells ( LEC s) are activated by direct‐current ( DC ) electrical stimulation, which induced extension of actin filaments of LEC s, increased calcium influx into LEC s, and increased phosphorylation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase ( MAPK ). An inhibitor of focal adhesion kinase, which plays a role in cellular adhesion and motility, diminished the DC ‐induced extension of F‐actin and abrogated p38 phosphorylation. Time‐lapse imaging revealed that pulsed‐ DC stimulation promoted proliferation and migration of LEC s. Overall, these results indicate that electro‐stimulation activates lymphatic function by activating p38 MAPK .