Quantitative Analysis of the KSHV Transcriptome Following Primary Infection of Blood and Lymphatic Endothelial Cells

The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in immunity and lymph nodes (LNs) undergo drastic remodeling during inflammation. Here, we used single-cell RNA sequencing to investigate transcriptional changes in lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) in LNs draining naïve and inflamed skin. We found that subsets of LECs lining the different LN sinuses responded individually to skin inflammation, suggesting that they exert distinct functions under pathological conditions. Among the genes dysregulated during inflammation, we confirmed an up-regulation of CD200 in the LECs lining the subcapsular sinus floor with a possible function in immune regulation. Furthermore, by in silico analysis, we predicted numerous possible interactions of LECs with diverse immune cells in the LNs and found similarities in the transcriptional changes of LN LECs in different skin inflammation settings. In summary, we provide an in-depth analysis of the transcriptional landscape of LN LECs in the naïve state and in skin inflammation.

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Mechanosensation and Mechanotransduction by Lymphatic Endothelial Cells Act as Important Regulators of Lymphatic Development and Function

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22083955 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (8) ◽

pp. 3955

Author(s):

László Bálint ◽

Zoltán Jakus

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Cells ◽

Endothelial Cell ◽

Cell Fate ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Critical Role ◽

Mechanical Forces ◽

Lymphatic Endothelial Cells ◽

Lymphatic Development ◽

And Function ◽

The Impact

Our understanding of the function and development of the lymphatic system is expanding rapidly due to the identification of specific molecular markers and the availability of novel genetic approaches. In connection, it has been demonstrated that mechanical forces contribute to the endothelial cell fate commitment and play a critical role in influencing lymphatic endothelial cell shape and alignment by promoting sprouting, development, maturation of the lymphatic network, and coordinating lymphatic valve morphogenesis and the stabilization of lymphatic valves. However, the mechanosignaling and mechanotransduction pathways involved in these processes are poorly understood. Here, we provide an overview of the impact of mechanical forces on lymphatics and summarize the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the mechanosensation and mechanotransduction by lymphatic endothelial cells. We also discuss how these mechanosensitive pathways affect endothelial cell fate and regulate lymphatic development and function. A better understanding of these mechanisms may provide a deeper insight into the pathophysiology of various diseases associated with impaired lymphatic function, such as lymphedema and may eventually lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets for these conditions.

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VEGFC/FLT4-induced cell-cycle arrest mediates sprouting and differentiation of venous and lymphatic endothelial cells

Cell Reports ◽

10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109255 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 35 (11) ◽

pp. 109255

Author(s):

Ayelet Jerafi-Vider ◽

Ivan Bassi ◽

Noga Moshe ◽

Yaara Tevet ◽

Gideon Hen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Cycle ◽

Endothelial Cells ◽

Cell Cycle Arrest ◽

Lymphatic Endothelial Cells ◽

Cycle Arrest

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HIV-1 Matrix Protein p17 Promotes Lymphangiogenesis and Activates the Endothelin-1/Endothelin B Receptor Axis

Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology ◽

10.1161/atvbaha.113.302478 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 846-856 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Francesca Caccuri ◽

Christine Rueckert ◽

Cinzia Giagulli ◽

Kai Schulze ◽

Daniele Basta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Cells ◽

Lymph Node ◽

Structure Formation ◽

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Matrix Protein ◽

Lymphatic Endothelial Cells ◽

Endothelin 1 ◽

Tumor Dissemination ◽

Hiv 1

Objective— AIDS-related lymphomas are high grade and aggressively metastatic with poor prognosis. Lymphangiogenesis is essential in supporting proliferation and survival of lymphoma, as well as tumor dissemination. Data suggest that aberrant lymphangiogenesis relies on action of HIV-1 proteins rather than on a direct effect of the virus itself. HIV-1 matrix protein p17 was found to accumulate and persist in lymph nodes of patients even under highly active antiretroviral therapy. Because p17 was recently found to exert a potent proangiogenic activity by interacting with chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptors 1 and 2, we tested the prolymphangiogenic activity of the viral protein. Approach and Results— Human primary lymph node–derived lymphatic endothelial cells were used to perform capillary-like structure formation, wound healing, spheroids, and Western blot assays after stimulation with or without p17. Here, we show that p17 promotes lymphangiogenesis by binding to chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor-1 and chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor-2 expressed on lymph node–derived lymphatic endothelial cells and activating the Akt/extracellular signal–regulated kinase signaling pathway. In particular, it was found to induce capillary-like structure formation, sprout formation from spheroids, and increase lymph node–derived lymphatic endothelial cells motility. The p17 lymphangiogenic activity was, in part, sustained by activation of the endothelin-1/endothelin receptor B axis. A Matrigel plug assay showed that p17 was able to promote the outgrowth of lymphatic vessels in vivo, demonstrating that p17 directly regulates lymphatic vessel formation. Conclusions— Our results suggest that p17 may generate a prolymphangiogenic microenvironment and plays a role in predisposing the lymph node to lymphoma growth and metastasis. This finding offers new opportunities to identify treatment strategies in combating AIDS-related lymphomas.

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