B cell-derived vascular endothelial growth factor A promotes lymphangiogenesis and high endothelial venule expansion in lymph nodes

B Shrestha, T Hashiguchi, T Ito, N Miura… - The Journal of …, 2010 - journals.aai.org
B Shrestha, T Hashiguchi, T Ito, N Miura, K Takenouchi, Y Oyama, K Kawahara…
The Journal of Immunology, 2010journals.aai.org
Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is a prominent growth factor for both
angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Recent studies have shown the importance of VEGF-
A in enhancing the growth of lymphatic endothelial cells in lymph nodes (LNs) and the
migration of dendritic cells into LNs. VEGF-A is produced in inflamed tissues and/or in
draining LNs, where B cells are a possible source of this growth factor. To study the effect of
B cell-derived VEGF-A, we created transgenic mice (CD19 Cre/hVEGF-A fl) that express …
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is a prominent growth factor for both angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Recent studies have shown the importance of VEGF-A in enhancing the growth of lymphatic endothelial cells in lymph nodes (LNs) and the migration of dendritic cells into LNs. VEGF-A is produced in inflamed tissues and/or in draining LNs, where B cells are a possible source of this growth factor. To study the effect of B cell-derived VEGF-A, we created transgenic mice (CD19 Cre/hVEGF-A fl) that express human VEGF-A specifically in B cells. We found that the human VEGF-A produced by B cells not only induced lymphangiogenesis in LNs, but also induced the expansion of LNs and the development of high endothelial venules. Contrary to our expectation, we observed a significant decrease in the Ag-specific Ab production postimmunization with OVA and in the proinflammatory cytokine production postinoculation with LPS in these mice. Our findings suggest immunomodulatory effects of VEGF-A: B cell-derived VEGF-A promotes both lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis within LNs, but then suppresses certain aspects of the ensuing immune responses.
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