Semaphorin3A, Neuropilin-1, and PlexinA1 are required for lymphatic valve formation.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

The lymphatic vasculature plays a major role in fluid homeostasis, absorption of dietary lipids, and immune surveillance. Fluid transport depends on the presence of intraluminal valves within lymphatic collectors. Defective formation of lymphatic valves leads to lymphedema, a progressive and debilitating condition for which curative treatments are currently unavailable. How lymphatic valve formation is regulated remains largely unknown.

Objective

We investigated if the repulsive axon guidance molecule Semaphorin3A (Sema3A) plays a role in lymphatic valve formation.

Methods and results

We show that Sema3A mRNA is expressed in lymphatic vessels and that Sema3A protein binds to lymphatic valves expressing the Neuropilin-1 (Nrp1) and PlexinA1 receptors. Using mo

SUBMITTER: Bouvree K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3861899 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature