RAMP1 signaling in immune cells regulates inflammation-associated lymphangiogenesis

Lab Invest. 2020 May;100(5):738-750. doi: 10.1038/s41374-019-0364-0. Epub 2020 Jan 7.

Abstract

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) regulates inflammation via signaling through receptor activity-modifying protein (RAMP) 1. Here, we investigated the role of RAMP1 signaling in growth of lymphatic vessels during inflammation. Lymphangiogenesis in the diaphragm of RAMP1-deficient (-/-) mice or their wild-type (WT) counterparts was induced by repeated intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Compared with WT mice, LPS-induced lymphangiogenesis in RAMP1-/- mice was suppressed. This was accompanied by the reduced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and VEGF-D. The number of CD4+ cells in diaphragm tissue from WT mice was greater than RAMP1-/- mice. Removing CD4+ cells attenuated lymphangiogenesis and expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D. CD4+ cells isolated from RAMP1-/- mice exhibited reduced expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D. The number of CD11b+ cells from RAMP1-/- mice was higher than WT mice and was associated with the upregulated expression of genes related to pro-inflammatory macrophage phenotype and downregulation of reparative macrophage phenotype-related expression. When fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran was injected into the peritoneal cavity, the amount of residual FITC-dextran in WT mice was lower than that in RAMP1-/- mice. The present results suggest that RAMP1 signaling in immune cells plays a critical role in inflammation-related lymphangiogenesis; therefore, it represents a novel target for controlling lymphangiogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diaphragm / metabolism
  • Inflammation* / genetics
  • Inflammation* / metabolism
  • Lymphangiogenesis* / genetics
  • Lymphangiogenesis* / physiology
  • Lymphatic Vessels / metabolism
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Receptor Activity-Modifying Protein 1* / genetics
  • Receptor Activity-Modifying Protein 1* / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Ramp1 protein, mouse
  • Receptor Activity-Modifying Protein 1
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors