This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 29/5/650    most recent ATVBAHA.109.185066v1 Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Dunworth, W. P. Articles by Caron, K. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Dunworth, W. P. Articles by Caron, K. M. Pubmed/NCBI databases Medline Plus Health Information Lymphedema Related Collections Developmental Biology in the Vasculature

(Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2009;29:650.)
© 2009 American Heart Association, Inc.

Brief Reviews

G Protein–Coupled Receptors as Potential Drug Targets for Lymphangiogenesis and Lymphatic Vascular Diseases

William P. Dunworth; Kathleen M. Caron

From the Departments of Cell and Molecular Physiology and Genetics, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Correspondence to Kathleen M. Caron, 111 Mason Farm Road, 247 Medical Biomolecular Research Bldg, Room 6340B, CB # 7545, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599. E-mail Kathleen_caron{at}med.unc.edu

Series Editor: Mark Majesky PhD

Absrtract— G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) are widely expressed cell surface receptors that have been successfully exploited for the treatment of a variety of human diseases. Recent studies in genetically engineered mouse models have led to the identification of several GPCRs important for lymphatic vascular development and function. The adrenomedullin receptor, which consists of an oligomer between calcitonin receptor-like receptor and receptor activity modifying protein 2, is required for normal lymphatic vascular development and regulates lymphatic capillary permeability in mice. Numerous studies also suggest that lysophospholipid receptors are involved in the development of lymphatic vessels and lymphatic endothelial cell permeability. Given our current lack of pharmacological targets for the treatment of lymphatic vascular diseases like lymphedema, the continued identification and study of GPCRs in lymphatic endothelial cells may eventually lead to major breakthroughs and new pharmacological strategies for the treatment of lymphedema.

Recently, several GPCRs important for lymphatic vascular development and function have been identified. Given our current lack of pharmacological targets for the treatment of lymphatic vascular diseases, the continued identification and study of GPCRs in lymphatics may eventually lead to new pharmacological strategies for the treatment of lymphedema.

Key Words: angiogenesis • other treatment • animal models of human disease • endothelium • other vascular biology

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. W. Majesky Developmental Biology in the Vasculature--Review Series Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, May 1, 2009; 29(5): 622 - 622. [Full Text] [PDF]