Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research

In a study published this week in Nature, investigators from the Melbourne Branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (LICR), the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (Australia) and the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology (Italy) report that a “genetic switch” directs the formation of new lymphatic vessels. By manipulating this switch, the investigators can either enhance or restrict lymphatic vessel growth in mouse embryos. The lymphatic system—an extensive vasculature that drains fluid from tissues and carries immune cells throughout the body—provides a critical route for cancer to spread. Lymphatic dysfunction causes lymphedema, a swelling condition, and can also lead to infection.

The “genetic switch” is governed by the gene Sox18, known previously to regulate blood vessels and hair follicles. Sox18 induces a genetic program during development, causing differentiation of the endothelial cells that eventually form the lining of lymphatic vessels. The discovery entailed a combination of elegant genetic and cell biological experiments at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience and the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, and the quantitative monitoring of lymphatic vessels in mice by the LICR team.

“The results indicate it may be possible to control the lymphatics therapeutically via this molecular switch, for a number of clinical applications,” says Dr. Marc Achen, who co-heads the LICR team together with Dr. Steven Stacker. Both are also Associate Professors at The University of Melbourne. “Stimulation of lymphatic function post-surgery could facilitate wound healing and prevent lymphedema, while restriction of lymphatic vessel growth in cancer patients should reduce the risk of metastasis.”

–END–

The study was conducted by Drs. Marc Achen, Steven Stacker, Ramin Shayan, Tara Karnezis and Karri Paavonen from the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne Branch, Australia; and by investigators from the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Brisbane, Australia; FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy; The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; and University of Milan, Italy.