The sialomucin CD34 is a marker of lymphatic endothelial cells in human tumors

The mechanisms of lymphangiogenesis have been increasingly understood in recent years. Yet, the contribution of lymphangiogenesis versus lymphatic cooption in human tumors and the functionality of tumor lymphatics are still controversial. Furthermore, despite the identification of lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) markers such as Prox1, podoplanin, LYVE-1, and VEGFR-3, no activation marker for tumor-associated LECs has been identified. Applying double-staining techniques with established LEC markers, we have screened endothelial cell differentiation antigens for their expression in LECs. These experiments identified the sialomucin CD34 as being exclusively expressed by LECs in human tumors but not in corresponding normal tissues. CD34 is expressed by LYVE-1(+)/podoplanin(+)/Prox1(+) tumor-associated LECs in colon, breast, lung, and skin tumors. More than 60% of analyzed tumors contained detectable intratumoral lymphatics. Of these, more than 80% showed complete co-localization of CD34 with LEC markers. In contrast, LECs in all analyzed normal organs did not express CD34. Corresponding analyses of experimental tumors revealed that mouse tumor-associated LECs do not express CD34. Taken together, these experiments identify CD34 as the first differentially expressed LEC antigen that is selectively expressed by tumor-associated LECs. The data warrant further exploration of CD34 in tumor-associated LECs as a prognostic tumor marker.     

Mesenchymal cells with leukocyte and lymphendothelial characteristics in murine embryos.

The development of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) from deep embryonic veins or mesenchymal lymphangioblasts is controversially discussed. Studies employing quail-chick grafting experiments have shown that various mesodermal compartments of the embryo possess lymphangiogenic potential, whereas studies on murine embryos have been in favor of a venous origin of LECs. We have investigated NMRI mice from embryonic day (ED) 9.5 to 13.5 with antibodies against the leukocyte marker CD45, the pan-endothelial marker CD31, and the lymphendothelial markers Prox1 and Lyve-1. Early signs of the development of lymphatics are the Lyve-1- and Prox1-positive segments of the jugular and vitelline veins. Then, lymph sacs, which are found in the jugular region of ED 11.5 mice, express Prox1, Lyve-1, and CD31. Furthermore, scattered cells positive for all of the four markers are present in the mesenchyme of the dermatomes and the mediastinum before lymphatic vessels are present in these regions. Their number increases during development. A gradient of increasing CD31 expression can be seen the closer the cells are located to the lymph sacs. Our studies provide evidence for the existence of scattered mesenchymal cells, which up-regulate lymphendothelial and down-regulate leukocyte characteristics when they integrate into growing murine lymphatics. Such stem cells may also be present in the human and may be the cell of origin in post-transplantation Kaposi sarcoma.     

Derivation of endothelial cells from CD34- umbilical cord blood

CD34 is a transmembrane glycoprotein constitutively expressed on endothelial cells and hematopoietic stem cells. Use of CD34-recognizing antibodies has helped in the identification and isolation of CD34+ endothelial precursors from embryonic and adult tissues. However, CD34-null mice display no vascular abnormalities, demonstrating that CD34 antigen expression is not required for normal vascular development. Here we show that a CD34- cell population that includes endothelial cell precursors can be isolated from cord blood. In the presence of angiogenic factors, these cells mature to express the endothelial cell markers vascular endothelial-cadherin, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 and -2, Tie-1 and -2 (tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin and epidermal growth factor homology domains), von Willebrand factor, and CD31 while maintaining their CD34- status, and can be expanded in vitro for over 20 passages. Moreover, in functional studies, these cells can undergo extracellular matrix-dependent morphogenic changes into capillary-like tubular structures. When transplanted into immunodeficient mice in conjunction with tumor cells or with the proangiogenic factor basic fibroblast growth factor, these cells can form functional microvessels arising along with host blood cells. These studies provide strong evidence for the existence of CD34- endothelial cell precursors in cord blood and suggest the use of ex vivo-expanded cord blood CD34- cells as a unique tool for the investigation of postnatal lineage diversification.     

Systematic analysis of reportedly distinct populations of multipotent bone marrow-derived stem cells reveals a lack of distinction

Adult human bone marrow-derived stem cells, having the ability to differentiate into cells of multiple lineages, have been isolated and propagated by varied protocols, including positive (CD105(+))/negative (CD45(-)GlyA(-)) selection with immunomagnetic beads, or direct plating into selective culture media. Each substratum-adherent cell population was subjected to a systematic analysis of their cell surface markers and differentiation potential. In the initial stages of culture, each cell population proliferated slowly, reaching confluence in 10-14 days. Adherent cells proliferated at similar rates whether cultured in serum-free medium supplemented with basic fibroblast growth factor, medium containing 2% fetal bovine serum (FBS) supplemented with epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor, or medium containing 10% FBS alone. Cell surface marker analysis revealed that more than 95% of the cells were positive for CD105/endoglin, a putative mesenchymal stem cell marker, and negative for CD34, CD31, and CD133, markers of hematopoietic, endothelial, and neural stem cells, respectively, regardless of cell isolation and propagation method. CD44 expression was variable, apparently dependent on serum concentration. Functional similarity of the stem cell populations was also observed, with each different cell population expressing the cell type-specific markers beta-tubulin, type II collagen, and desmin, and demonstrating endothelial tube formation when cultured under conditions favoring neural, cartilage, muscle, and endothelial cell differentiation, respectively. On the basis of these data, adult human bone marrow-derived stem cells cultured in adherent monolayer are virtually indistinguishable, both physically and functionally, regardless of the method of isolation or proliferative expansion.     

人脐带血淋巴管内皮祖细胞的分化及其生物学特征

目的研究脐带血中CD34^＋／CD133^＋／VEGFR-3^＋淋巴管内皮祖细胞经VEGF—C诱导向内皮细胞分化过程中生物学特征的变化,并探讨其分化的机制。方法取脐带血,用PercoU密度梯度离心法分离单形核细胞,再用流式细胞仪分选CD34^＋／CD133^＋／VEGFR-3^＋细胞,然后用VEGF—C诱导分化。在扫描电镜和透射电镜下观察细胞表面形态和细胞内结构的变化,并在激光扫描共焦显微镜下观察特征性标志物的表达变化。结果脐带血中的淋巴管内皮祖细胞表达CD34、CD133和VEGFR-3。CD34^＋／CD133^＋／VEGFR-3^＋细胞经VEGF-C诱导后7d,呈长梭形,细胞伸出板状伪足和丝状伪足,出现较多短的微绒毛。表面可见细胞小凹,细胞质中含有丰富的线粒体和粗面内质网。诱导后14d,细胞已具有内皮细胞的特征,表达淋巴管内皮特异性标志物LYVE-1和5-核苷酸酶,CD133表达消失,细胞质中可见Weibel-Palade小体。结论脐带血中存在CD34^＋／CD133^＋／VEGFR-3^＋淋巴管内皮祖细胞,这些细胞在VEGF—C诱导作用下可能通过VEGF—C／VEGFR-3信号途径分化为淋巴管内皮细胞。     

Human vasculogenesis ex vivo: embryonal aorta as a tool for isolation of endothelial cell progenitors.

SUMMARY: Vasculogenesis, the de novo formation of new blood vessels from undifferentiated precursor cells or angioblasts, has been studied with experimental in vivo and ex vivo animal models, but its mechanism is poorly understood, particularly in humans. We used the aortic ring assay to investigate the angioforming capacity of aortic explants from 11- to 12-week-old human embryos. After being embedded in collagen gels, the aorta rings produced branching capillary-like structures formed by mesenchymal spindle cells that lined a capillary-like lumen and expressed markers of endothelial differentiation (CD31, CD34, von Willebrand factor [vWF], and fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 [Flk-1]/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 [VEGFR2]). The cell linings of these structures showed ultrastructural evidence of endothelial differentiation. The neovascular proliferation occurred primarily in the outer aspects of aortic rings, thus suggesting that the new vessels mainly arose from immature endothelial precursor cells localized in the outer layer of the aortic stroma, ie, a process of vasculogenesis rather than angiogenesis. The undifferentiated mesenchymal cells (CD34+/CD31-), isolated and cultured on collagen-fibronectin, differentiated into endothelial cells expressing CD31 and vWF. Furthermore, the CD34+/CD31+ cells were capable of forming a network of capillary-like structures when cultured on Matrigel. This is the first reported study showing the ex vivo formation of human microvessels by vasculogenesis. Our findings indicate that the human embryonic aorta is a rich source of CD34+/CD31- endothelial progenitor cells (angioblasts), and this information may prove valuable in studies of vascular regeneration and tissue bioengineering.     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 and podoplanin suggests a lymphatic endothelial cell origin of Kaposi's sarcoma tumor cells

Despite intensive research over the past decade, the exact lineage relationship of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) tumor cells has not yet been settled. In the present study, we investigated the expression of two markers for lymphatic endothelial cells (EC), ie, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) and podoplanin, in AIDS and classic KS. Both markers were strongly expressed by cells lining irregular vascular spaces in early KS lesions and by tumor cells in advanced KS. Double-staining experiments by confocal laser microscopy established that VEGFR-3-positive and podoplanin-positive cell populations were identical and uniformly expressed CD31. By contrast, these cells were negative for CD45, CD68, and PAL-E, excluding their hemopoietic and blood vessel endothelial cell nature. Podoplanin expression in primary KS tumor lysates was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Both splice variants of VEGFR-3 were found in KS-tumor-derived RNA by RT-PCR. In contrast to KS tumor cells in situ, no expression of VEGFR-3 and podoplanin was detected in any of four KS-derived spindle cell cultures and in one KS-derived autonomously growing cell line (KS Y-1). Our findings that KS tumor cells express two lymphatic EC markers in situ strongly suggest that they are related to or even derived from the lymphatic EC lineage. Lack of these antigens on cultured cells derived from KS lesions indicates that they might not represent tumor cells that grow in tissue culture, but rather other cell types present in KS lesions.     

Splenic endothelial cell lines support development of dendritic cells from bone marrow

Although growth factors are commonly used to generate dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro, the role of the microenvironment necessary for DC development is still poorly understood. The mixed splenic stromal cell population STX3 defines an in vitro microenvironment supportive of DC development. Dissection of cellular components of the STX3 stroma should provide information about a niche for DC development. STX3 was therefore cloned by single-cell sorting, and a panel of 102 splenic stromal cell lines was established. Four representative splenic stromal cell lines that support hematopoiesis from bone marrow are described here in terms of stromal cell type and DC production. All four stromal lines express the endothelial genes Acvrl1, Cd34, Col18a1, Eng, Flt1, Mcam, and Vcam1 but not Cd31 or Vwf. Three of the four lines form tube-like structures when cultured on Matrigel. Their endothelial maturity correlates with the ability to support myeloid DC development from bone marrow. A fourth cell line, unable to form tube-like structures in Matrigel, produced large granulocytic cells expressing CD11b and CD86 but not CD11c and CD80. Conditioned media from splenic stromal cell lines also support DC production, indicating that soluble growth factors and cytokines produced by stromal lines drive DC development. This article reports characterization of immature endothelial cell lines derived from spleen that are supportive of DC development and predicts the existence of such a cell type in vivo which regulates DC development within spleen.     

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection of blood endothelial cells induces lymphatic differentiation

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is necessary for KS, a highly vascularized tumor predominated by endothelial-derived spindle cells that express markers of lymphatic endothelium. Following KSHV infection of TIME cells, an immortalized human dermal microvascular endothelial cell (DMVEC) line, expression of many genes specific to lymphatic endothelium, including VEGFR3, podoplanin, LYVE-1, and Prox-1, is significantly increased. Increases in VEGFR3 and podoplanin protein are also demonstrated following latent infection. Examination of cytokine secretion showed that KSHV infection significantly induces hIL-6 while strongly inhibiting secretion of IL-8, a gene product that is decreased by differentiation of blood to lymphatic endothelial cells. These studies support the hypotheses that latent KSHV infection of blood endothelial cells drives their differentiation to lymphatic endothelial cells.     

兔外周血两种内皮祖细胞的分离培养和鉴定

目的研究新西兰大白兔外周血两种内皮祖细胞(EPC和EOC)的分离培养和鉴定。方法由兔耳中央动脉采集外周血,以密度梯度离心法分离单个核细胞(MNC),置于EGM-2培养基中培养。用DiI标记的乙酰化低密度脂蛋白(DiI-acLDL)摄取试验和FITC标记的荆豆凝集素(FITC-UEA-1)结合试验,检测flk-1表达的免疫荧光法和检测CD34、Ⅷ因子表达的免疫组化染色法,以及体外血管形成试验对EPC/EOC进行鉴定。结果从新西兰大白兔外周血MNC中可成功地培养出EPC和EOC。培养第7天的EPC和第16天的EOC均能吞噬ac-LDL并与凝集素UEA-1相结合,同时均可表达CD34、flk-1和Ⅷ因子相关抗原。EOC在matrigel凝胶上可形成血管腔样的结构。结论用密度梯度离心法从兔外周血中分离的MNC在一定的培养条件下,能分化成为EPC和EOC,为后续的实验研究提供了细胞来源。     

自发性高血压大鼠淋巴微循环功能受损

目的:观察自发性高血压大鼠(SHRs)淋巴微循环功能变化.方法:8周龄雄性SHR大鼠(SHR组)和WKY大鼠(WKY组),每组各10只.应用VasT rack测量两组大鼠微淋巴管自律运动;取胸导管分离原代淋巴管内皮细胞(LECs).应用免疫荧光和Western Blot检测LECs血管内皮生长因子受体3(VEGFR3)...     

人参皂甙Rg3对淋巴管内皮细胞生成的影响

目的探讨人参皂甙Rg3[20(R)-Ginsenoside Rg3]对淋巴管内皮细胞迁移、增殖能力及凋亡的影响。方法用含不同浓度人参皂苷Rg3的培养液培养Hela细胞,收集培养上清并制备条件培养液(CM);取健康猪的胸导管内皮细胞进行分离、培养;Ⅷ因子、VEGFR-3抗体联合对淋巴管内皮细胞进行鉴定;通过划线刮除法和MTT法观察人参皂甙Rg3对淋巴管内皮细胞的迁移和增殖能力的影响;Hoechst33258荧光染色检测淋巴管内皮细胞凋亡。结果第Ⅷ因子和VEGFR-3抗体对培养的淋巴管细胞进行联合鉴定,为典型淋巴管内皮细胞;应用划线刮除法和MTT法对对照组与实验组进行比较显示:不同浓度的人参皂甙Rg3能够明显抑制淋巴管内皮细胞的增殖和游走,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);Hoechst33258证实,经人参皂甙Rg3条件培养液处理后淋巴管内皮细胞,可观察到其核周围有凋亡小体。结论人参皂甙Rg3对淋巴管内皮细胞的迁移和增殖能力有明显的抑制作用,并且有剂量依赖性;人参皂甙Rg3能够诱导淋巴管细胞凋亡。     

Functional Roles for PECAM-1 (CD31) and VE-Cadherin (CD144) in Tube Assembly and Lumen Formation in Three-Dimensional Collagen Gels

Various in vitro models have been described that emulate one or more of the processes involved in angiogenesis in vivo. In the present study endothelial cells were cultured in three-dimensional type I collagen lattices in the presence of a mixture of basic fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial cell growth factor, and phorbol myristate acetate. Under these conditions, the endothelial cells rapidly assemble into an interconnected network of tube-like structures with a high frequency of intercellular canals or lumens. The formation of the networks and lumens was completely blocked by cycloheximide and by actinomycin D. Monoclonal antibodies directed against CD31 or vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) inhibited the formation of endothelial tubes. A subtle difference in the morphology of cells treated with anti-CD31 versus anti-VE-cadherin was noted; namely, cells incubated in the presence of CD31 antibodies were rounded or formed attenuated tube-like structures, both of which were characterized by a single, large intra- or intercellular vacuole. In contrast, tube formation by cells incubated in the presence of VE-cadherin antibodies was also impaired and, most notably, demonstrated a reduction in either vacuole formation or vacuole fusion, depending upon the monoclonal antibody used. We suggest that the two endothelial-junction-associated proteins, CD31 and VE-cadherin, play different roles in the process of tube formation. CD31 appears to be required for cell elongation, migration, and/or invasion in the gels as well as for cell-cell association to form the network structures. VE-cadherin also appears to be required for cell-cell association, but additionally appears to play some role in the process of vacuolization or vacuole fusion leading to intercellular lumen formation.     

Development of murine hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells characterized by the expression of hyaluronan receptors.

Endothelial cells (ECs) display distinct structural and functional characteristics depending on the tissue and developmental stage; however, the development of tissue-specific ECs remains poorly understood. Here, we describe the development of hepatic sinusoids in mice based on the expression of hyaluronan receptors Stab2 and Lyve-1. Flk-1(+) cells in and around the liver bud begin to express Stab2 at embryonic day (E) 9.5, before the formation of vascular lumen. Hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HSECs) begin to express Lyve-1 at E10.5, and both markers continue to be expressed in HSECs thereafter. Although HSECs and lymphatic ECs (LECs) are known to share functional and phenotypic characteristics, we clearly show that HSECs can be distinguished from LECs by the expression of molecular markers and higher endocytotic activity. Our results provide new insight into the development of tissue-specific ECs and phenotypic criteria to distinguish HSECs from other types of ECs, including LECs.     

Postnatal development of lymphatic vessels and their smooth muscle cells in the rat diaphragm: a confocal microscopic study

This paper reports on how lymphatic vessels and their smooth muscle cells develop in the diaphragm of postnatal rats. Lymphatic endothelial cells in the diaphragm were labeled by an intraperitoneal injection of DiI-labeled acetylated low-density lipoprotein (DiIac-LDL). During postnatal week 1, DiI-ac-LDL was detected in many free cells in addition to distinct endothelial cells that formed lymphatic vessels. Occasionally, saccular lymphatics isolated from previously formed lymphatics were recognized; these were referred to as lymphatic islands. The DiI-ac-LDL-labeled free and lymphatic endothelial cells showed immunoreactivity for CD 34 and Flt-4, but most of them did not express either OX 62 or ED 1 immunoreactivity, with only some showing ED 1 immunoreactivity. This suggests that most of the DiI-ac-LDL-labeled elements were lymphatic endothelial cells, and that some were macrophages. After postnatal week 1, the DiI-ac-LDL positive cells were restricted to lymphatic vessels. Until postnatal week 6, lymphatic vessels increased as the diaphragm enlarged. Towards the end of postnatal week 2, free cells expressing alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) immunoreactivity increased in the diaphragm, and some of these were in contact with lymphatics. A coarse plexus of smooth muscle cells surrounding the lymphatic vessels first appeared at postnatal week 2, and this plexus became denser with age. Our findings indicate that lymphatic vessels are formed not only by sprouting from previously formed lymphatic vessels but also by migrating endothelial cells, and that smooth muscle cells may be differentiated from mesenchymal cells to form a plexus surrounding the lymphatic vessels.