Transcription factor FOXC2 demarcates the jugular lymphangiogenic region in avian embryos.

[lymphedemapeople]

Transcription factor FOXC2 demarcates the jugular lymphangiogenic
region in avian embryos.

Lymphology. 2008 Mar

Rutscher K, Wilting J.
Centre of Anatomy, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University
Medicine Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.

In the human, mutations of the forkhead winged-helix transcription
factor FOXC2 cause the lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome, which is
characterized by a double row of eyelashes and pubertal onset
lymphedema of the legs due to hyperplasia and malformation of
lymphatic collectors. While a function of FOXC2 for the
differentiation of lymphatic collectors is well documented, recent
studies have indicated an early function for the sprouting of
lymphatics from embryonic veins. We studied the expression of FoxC2 in
early avian embryos and compared its expression pattern with that of
the homeobox transcription factor Prox1, which is essential for
lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) development. We show that FoxC2
demarcates a segment of the somatopleura in the cervical region on
embryonic day (ED) 3, before Prox1 is expressed. On ED 4, its
expression domain coincides with that of Prox1 in the jugular region.
This region is characterized by the confluence of Tie2-positive
anterior and posterior cardinal veins. It has been shown that Prox1
expression in a subpopulation of venous endothelial cells induces
transdifferentiation into LECs. Our data suggest that FoxC2, in
addition to its late functions during lymph collector differentiation,
has an early function during lymphendothelial commitment of venous ECs
in the jugular region.

PMID: 18581954 [PubMed - in process]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18581954?ordinalpos=14&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

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Pat O'Connor
Lymphedema People
http://www.lymphedemapeople.com