Haematologica Reports 2005; 1(issue 9): 47 [prev][index][next]

Lymphangiogenesis: a new paradigm for cancer progression and therapy
Alitalo K
Molecular/Cancer Biology Laboratory and Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Haartman Institute and
Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Finland

Angiogenesis and permeability of blood vessels are regulated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) via its two receptors VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2. The VEGFR-3 receptor does not bind VEGF and its expression becomes restricted mainly to lymphatic endothelia during development. We have found that homozygous VEGFR-3 targeted mice die around midgestation due to failure of cardiovascular development. We have also purified and cloned the VEGFR-3 ligand, VEGF-C. Transgenic mice expressing VEGF-C show evidence of lymphangiogenesis and VEGF-C knockout mice have defective lymphatic vessels. The proteolytically processed form of VEGF-C binds also to VEGFR-2 and is angiogenic.[>Read full article in PDF]