Novel zebrafish model reveals a critical role for MAPK in lymphangiogenesis
- Authors
- Fevurly, R.D., Hasso, S., Fye, A., Fishman, S.J., and Chan, J.
- ID
- ZDB-PUB-120117-18
- Date
- 2012
- Source
- Journal of Pediatric Surgery 47(1): 177-182 (Journal)
- Registered Authors
- Chan, Joanne, Fishman, Shannon
- Keywords
- none
- MeSH Terms
-
- Animals
- Disease Models, Animal*
- Lymphangiogenesis/physiology*
- MAP Kinase Signaling System/physiology*
- Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor/physiology
- Zebrafish*
- PubMed
- 22244413 Full text @ J. Pediatr. Surg.
Purpose
Lymphatic disorders are poorly understood with few animal models. We designed a novel assay to measure lymphatic development using transgenic zebrafish with fluorescently labeled endothelial cells. Two major branches of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) signaling pathway were examined: the MAPK and PI3K pathways.
Methods
Direct visualization of lymphatic development was performed in control embryos or under chemical inhibition. Treatment involved a 6-hour pulse of inhibitor at 3 days postfertilization. Fish were analyzed for the presence of the thoracic duct (TD) at 4 days postfertilization (n > 100 specimens).
Results
Thoracic duct formation was prevented using selective inhibitors against kinases (MAPK, PI3K/TOR, or VEGFR). These kinases were important for TD formation because the lymphatic vessel failed to form in most of treated animals. Remarkably, MAPK pathway inhibition most robustly reduced lymphangiogenesis, demonstrated by a lack of lymphatic endothelial cells.
Conclusion
We conclude that MAPK pathway function downstream of the VEGFRs is crucial at the early stages of TD development. This study provides a novel animal model and a potential target pathway for further investigation. We suggest further examination of MAPK pathway deregulation as a potential mechanism underlying lymphatic disease in humans.