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Growth Factors Volume 25, 2007 - Issue 6
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Original

A system for quantifying the patterning of the lymphatic vasculature

Ramin Shayan Melbourne Tumor Biology Branch, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia; Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Jack Brockhoff Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Research Unit, Royal Melbourne Hospital and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria, AustraliaView further author information
,
Tara Karnezis Melbourne Tumor Biology Branch, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, AustraliaView further author information
,
Evelyn Tsantikos Melbourne Tumor Biology Branch, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia; Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
,
Steven P. Williams Melbourne Tumor Biology Branch, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia
,
Andrew S. Runting Melbourne Tumor Biology Branch, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia
,
Mark W. Ashton Jack Brockhoff Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Research Unit, Royal Melbourne Hospital and Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
,
Marc G. Achen Melbourne Tumor Biology Branch, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, AustraliaView further author information
,
Margaret L. Hibbs Melbourne Tumor Biology Branch, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia; Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
&
Steven A. Stacker Melbourne Tumor Biology Branch, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, AustraliaCorrespondence[email protected]
View further author information
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Pages 417-425 | Received 20 Dec 2007, Accepted 22 Jan 2008, Published online: 11 Jul 2009
 
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Abstract

The lymphatic vasculature is critical for immunity and interstitial fluid homeostasis, playing important roles in diseases such as lymphedema and metastatic cancer. Animal models have been generated to explore the role of lymphatics and lymphangiogenic growth factors in such diseases, and to study lymphatic development. However, analysis of lymphatic vessels has primary been restricted to counting lymphatics in two-dimensional tissue slices, due to a lack of more sophisticated methodologies. In order to accurately examine lymphatic dysfunction in these models, and analyse the effects of lymphangiogenic growth factors on the lymphatic vasculature, it is essential to quantify the morphology and patterning of the distinct lymphatic vessels types in three-dimensional tissues. Here, we describe a method for performing such analyses, integrating user-operated image-analysis software with an approach that considers important morphological, anatomical and patterning features of the distinct lymphatic vessel subtypes. This efficient, reproducible technique is validated by analysing healthy and pathological tissues.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ramin Shayan

Author Contributions R. Shayan and T. Karnezis concept and method development, experimental work and manuscript preparation; E. Tsantikos and S.P. Williams experimental work and manuscript preparation; A.S. Runting software design and testing; M.W. Ashton, M.G. Achen, M.L. Hibbs, and S.A. Stacker concept and manuscript preparation.

Tara Karnezis

Author Contributions R. Shayan and T. Karnezis concept and method development, experimental work and manuscript preparation; E. Tsantikos and S.P. Williams experimental work and manuscript preparation; A.S. Runting software design and testing; M.W. Ashton, M.G. Achen, M.L. Hibbs, and S.A. Stacker concept and manuscript preparation.

Marc G. Achen

Competing Interest Statement S.A. Stacker and M.G. Achen are consultants for Vegenics Ltd.

Steven A. Stacker

Competing Interest Statement S.A. Stacker and M.G. Achen are consultants for Vegenics Ltd.

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