Lymphangiogenesis is the formation of lymphatic vessels from pre-existing lymphatic vessels in a method believed to be like angiogenesis (blood vessel development). Lymphangiogenesis plays an important physiological role in homeostasis, metabolism and immunity.
Lymphatic vessels play key roles in the maintenance of tissue fluid homeostasis, trafficking of immune cells and the metastatic spread of cancer. The formation of lymphatic vessels in both development and disease is driven by the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C (VEGFC), which signals through VEGF Receptor 3 (VEGFR3). The targeting of the VEGFC/VEGFR3 pathway is thought to offer much promise in the clinic, but has led to mixed results and variable outcomes for patients.
Professor Hogan will discuss the recent discovery of a role for the RNA helicase Ddx21 in lymphangiogenesis. Ddx21 is a regulator of ribosomal RNA transcription and ribosome biogenesis and was discovered through genetic screening in zebrafish. His findings show that Ddx21 is regulated in response to VEGFC/VEGFR3 signalling in zebrafish and human cells. This may offer ways to target VEGFC/VEGFR3 signalling outcomes in diseases of excessive lymph-angiogenesis such as cancer metastasis or lymphatic malformation in the future.
Professor Ben Hogan
Professor Ben Hogan is an NHMRC Senior Research Fellow and Co-Head of the Program of Organogenesis and Cancer at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. He studies the formation of the vertebrate vasculature with a focus on lymphatic vessels, the blood-brain barrier and identifying molecular mechanisms relevant to disease. His work has uncovered key components and effectors of the VEGFC-VEGFR3 pathway that controls lymph-angiogenesis in development, cancer, and lymphatic disease. He currently uses live imaging of cellular dynamics in development, zebrafish genetics, functional and single cell genomic approaches.
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