EFFECTS OF ENDOTHELIAL ADHESION MOLECULE PECAM-1,ICAM-3 AND CD44 ON LYMPHANGIOGENESIS IN VITRO / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate effects of endothelial adhesion molecule platelet endothelial cell odhesion molecule-1(PECAM-1),intercellular adhesion molecule-3(ICAM-3) and CD44 on lymphangiogenesis. Methods The lymphatic endothelial cells of the canine thoracic ducts were isolated and incubated.PECAM-1,ICAM-3 and CD44 on the lymphatic endothelial cells were labeled and visualized under fluorescence microscope and confocal laser scanning microscope.The endothelial cells stimulated by TNF-? or LPS were treated with the blocking antibodies against PECAM-1, ICAM-3 and CD44 respectively.The proliferation and migration of cells were determined with cell counting. The three-dimensional collagen gel model of lymphangiogenesis was prepared, and then the tube formation was viewed. The total length and area of the tubes formed from lymphatic endothelial cells were measured and their characteristics were examined with a transmission electron microscope. Results PECAM-1, ICAM-3 and CD44 were expressed on the lymphatic endothelial cells. In the control, TNF-? and LPS groups, the percentage of the migrated cells decreased and the total length and area of the tubes reduced after PECAM-1, ICAM-3 and CD44 of the cells were blocked respectively. The proliferated cells reduced after PECAM-1 or CD44 of the cells were blocked. However, there were no significant changes in the numbers of proliferated cells when ICAM-3 of the cells was blocked. In the semi-ultrathin and ultrathin sections, the tube structures formed by lymphatic endothelial cells were similar to lymphatic capillary.Conclusion PECAM-1, ICAM-3 and CD44 are expressed on the cultured lymphatic endothelial cells. These adhesion molecules are involved in lymphangiogenesis that includes proliferation, migration and tube formation of endothelial cells.