Genes expressed in cultured human lymphatic endothelial cells from the skin are being determined and compared with those from vascular endothelial cells. The effects of VEGFs, angiopoietins, ephrin, and periendothelial/smooth muscle cells on the gene expression pattern is being analyzed in monolayer and spheroid culture models. Mouse lymphatic and blood vessel fragments from normal and vaious mutant mice is being similarly isolated and analyzed. Mouse cDNAs are being cloned for selected genes and used in in situ hybridization of mouse embryos to define the specificity of expression in vivo. A versatile database and bioinformatics platform will be developed for coherent gene annotation, statistical anaylsis, and processing of transcription profiling data.

 

 

Participating consortium partners:

 

® Dr. Kari Alitalo, University of Helsinki, Finland

® Dr. Hellmut Augustin, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany

® Dr. Christer Betsholtz, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

® Dr. Anne Eichmann, Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale, Paris, France

® Dr. Mats Hellström, AngioGenetics Sweden AB, Göteborg, Sweden

® Dr. Dontscho Kerjaschki, Medical University of Vienna, Austria