Elucidation of Pathological Changs of Lymphedema

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25860583
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Cardiovascular medicine
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: MOTOKI FUSA (緒方英) 東京大学, 医学部附属病院, 登録研究員 (70648253)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: リンパ浮腫 / リンパ管平滑筋細胞 / マウスモデル / リンパ管新生 / CD4陽性T細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Lymphedema is a debilitating progressive condition that severely restricts quality of life and is frequently observed following cancer surgery. The mechanism underlying lymphedema development remains poorly understood, and no effective pharmacological means to prevent or alleviate the ailment is currently available. Using of human lymphatic vessels of lymphedema patients, I elucidated that the lymphatic tunica media and tunica intima consist mainly of phenotypical modulated smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and SMCs play pivotal roles in the development of lymphedema, as with the pathogenesis of various vascular disease. Furthermore, I made a mouse model of lymphedema and found that excessive generation of immature lymphatic vessels is essential for initial edema development and that this early process is also important for later development of lymphedema pathology. I found that CD4(+) T cells interact with macrophages to promote lymphangiogenesis.

Free Research Field

リンパ学