Organ-specific mechanisms of lymphatic vascular development and specialisation

Projektinformationen

LYMPHORG

ID Finanzhilfevereinbarung: 646849

DOI

10.3030/646849

Projekt abgeschlossen

EK-Unterschriftsdatum 23 April 2015

Startdatum 1 Mai 2015

Enddatum 30 April 2020

Finanziert unter

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)

Gesamtkosten

€ 2 368 439,00

EU-Beitrag

€ 2 368 439,00

Koordiniert durch

UPPSALA UNIVERSITET
Sweden

Periodic Reporting for period 4 - LYMPHORG (Organ-specific mechanisms of lymphatic vascular development and specialisation)

Berichtszeitraum: 2019-11-01 bis 2020-04-30

Zusammenfassung vom Kontext und den Gesamtzielen des Projekts

Pathological lymphatic diseases mostly affect vessels of specific tissues, yet organ-specific regulation of lymphatic development and function remain unexplored. This project aimed to identify genes and mechanisms regulating organ-specific lymphatic vascular development and explore the therapeutic potential of our newly identified tissue-specific lymphatic endothelial progenitor cell (LEPC). Using advanced mouse genetics, imaging and single cell transcriptomics, we identified novel mechanisms controlling lymphatic vessel formation from progenitors of non-venous and venous origins, and established tools for the functional characterization of LEPCs and the process of lymphvasculogenesis. Our results provide fundamental new insights into how lymphatic vessels are formed, but they may also create a better understanding of the reasons for common diseases characterized by (organ-specific) impairment of lymphatic function.

Arbeit, die ab Beginn des Projekts bis zum Ende des durch den Bericht erfassten Berichtszeitraums geleistet wurde, und die wichtigsten bis dahin erzielten Ergebnisse

Building on our discovery of a previously unknown progenitor cell type that is required for lymphatic vessel development in an organ-specific manner, we aimed to identify the origin and function of lymphatic endothelial progenitor cells (LEPCs) during development, and to assess their potential for therapeutic lymphatic regeneration. Towards this aim, we have performed single cell RNA sequencing of LECs of mouse embryonic mesenteries, which will be utilized to identify the (mesenteric) LEPC specific transcriptome. In addition, we have developed and characterized novel transgenic models and methodology for the purpose of targeting and studying non-venous derived LEPCs and the lymphvasculogenic process of vessel formation in vivo and ex vivo. Analysis of genetic mouse models has further uncovered novel mechanisms controlling lymphatic vessel formation from progenitors of both non-venous and venous origins. Research results have been presented in major international vascular biology conferences, and published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Fortschritte, die über den aktuellen Stand der Technik hinausgehen und voraussichtliche potenzielle Auswirkungen (einschließlich der bis dato erzielten sozioökonomischen Auswirkungen und weiter gefassten gesellschaftlichen Auswirkungen des Projekts)

Single cell transcriptome data generated for LECs of early embryonic mesenteries will be used for unambiguous molecular definition of LEPCs. New methodology and genetic tools have been established to allow reconstruction of early mesenteric vascular development and dynamic studies of lymphvasculogenic vessel formation ex vivo. Together these data and tools will allow studying the functional properties of non-venous derived LEC progenitors.

Lymphatic endothelial progenitor cells in the embryonic mouse mesentery