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Localisation of lymphatic vessels and vascular endothelial growth factors-C and -D in human and mouse skeletal muscle with immunohistochemistry

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Abstract

The present study was aimed to localise lymphatic vessels and their growth factors in human and mouse skeletal muscle with immunohistochemistry and specific antibodies (VEGFR-3, LYVE-1, VEGF-C and VEGF-D). The largest lymphatic vessels were found in perimysial connective tissue next to the arteries and veins, as has been shown earlier with electron microscopy. As a new finding, we also found small LYVE-1 positive vessels in the capillary bed between muscle fibres. These vessels were located next to CD31 positive blood capillaries and were of the same size, but fewer in number. In addition, we described the localisation of the two main lymphangiogenic growth factor proteins, vascular endothelial growth factor-C and -D. Both proteins were expressed in skeletal muscle at mRNA and protein levels. VEGF-D was located under the sarcolemma in some of the muscle fibres, in the endothelia of larger blood vessels and in fibroblasts. VEGF-C protein was localised to the nerves and muscle spindles, to fibroblasts and surrounding connective tissue, but was not found in muscle fibres or endothelial cells. Our results are the first to suggest the presence of lymphatic capillaries throughout the skeletal muscle, and to present the localisation of VEGF-C and -D in the muscles.

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Acknowledgments

The present study was financially supported by the LIKES Foundation for Sport and Health Sciences, the Finnish Ministry of Education and the Finnish Graduate School in Musculo-Skeletal Problems. Professor Kari Alitalo (Molecular/Cancer Biology Laboratory, University of Helsinki, Finland) generously provided the VEGFR-3 antibodies. Drs. Lotta Jussila and Marika Kärkkäinen (Molecular/Cancer Biology Laboratory, University of Helsinki, Finland) are acknowledged for their valuable comments and help. Dr. Reino Pitkänen (Central Hospital of Central Finland, Jyväskylä, Finland) is thanked for providing the human skin samples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. LIKES Research Center, Rautpohjankatu 8a, 40700, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Riikka Kivelä, Eino Havas & Veikko Vihko

  2. Neuromuscular Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, P.O. Box 35, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Riikka Kivelä

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  1. Riikka Kivelä
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  2. Eino Havas
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Correspondence to Riikka Kivelä.

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Kivelä, R., Havas, E. & Vihko, V. Localisation of lymphatic vessels and vascular endothelial growth factors-C and -D in human and mouse skeletal muscle with immunohistochemistry. Histochem Cell Biol 127, 31–40 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00418-006-0226-x

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