[Experimental studies of VEGF-C gene for the treatment of chronic obstructive lymphedema in mouse tail model].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To study the therapeutic effect of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) gene for chronic obstructive lymphedema in mouse tail model which may provide a new treatment for lymphedema. METHODS: RT-PCR and immunoabsorption were applied to detect VEGF-C gene expression in fibroblasts and secretion of VEGF-C protein in COS7 cells respectively after pCDNA3.1 (+) VEGF-C transfection. A mouse tail model of chronic obstructive lymphedema was created. Then the pcDNA3.1-VEGF-C plasmid was injected into the tail. The effect of modulating lymphangiogenesis was observed. RESULTS: Compared with control group, overexpression of VEGF-C enhanced lymphangiogenesis in vivo and mouse tail skin suffering chronic obstructive lymphedema was improved by VEGF-C gene significantly. CONCLUSIONS: VEGF-C can improve the lymphedema through enhancing lymphangiogenesis.