Characterization of junctional complex of lymphatic endothelial cells in caner lymphangiogenesis

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23792340
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Surgical dentistry
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: AKASHI Masaya 神戸大学, 医学部附属病院, 助教 (40597168)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-28 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 口腔癌 / リンパ管内皮細胞 / 細胞間接着複合体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To maintain normal function, the lymphatic endothelium is regulated by cell-cell junctions. One of objectives of this study was to characterize cell junctions in lymphatic endothelial cells and to investigate the effects of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α on altered cell-cell junctions.
Cultured human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells (HDLEC) were immunostained with the tight junction marker, and adherens junction markers, VE-cadherin. In TNF-α-treated HDLEC, we evaluated changes in endothelial cell junctions by immunostaining and through the use of transendothelial electrical resistance (TER).
The results revealed a heterogeneous distribution of cell junctions in HDLEC involving continuous and discontinuous junctions. Our data also suggest that TNF-α alters the normal distribution of cell junctions and affects the endothelial barrier of cultured lymphatic endothelial cells.

Free Research Field

口腔外科