Aging-induced Changes in Lymphatic Muscle Cell Transcriptomes are Associated with Reduced Pumping and Peripheral Collecting Lymphatic Vessels in Mice
Publication Date
2024
Description
Lymphatic muscle cells (LMCs) within the wall of collecting lymphatic vessels exhibit tonic and autonomous phasic contractions, which drive active lymph transport to maintain tissue-fluid homeostasis and support immune surveillance. Damage to LMCs disrupts lymphatic function and is related to various diseases. Despite their importance, knowledge of the gene transcriptional signatures in LMCs and how they relate to lymphatic function in normal and disease contexts is largely missing. We have generated a comprehensive transcriptional single-cell atlas—including LMCs—of peripheral collecting lymphatic vessels from mice across the lifespan. We identified genes that distinguish LMCs from other types of muscle cells, characterized the phenotypical and transcriptomic changes in LMCs in aged vessels, and identified a proinflammatory microenvironment that suppresses the contractile apparatus in LMCs from advanced-aged mice. Our findings provide a valuable resource to accelerate future research for the identification of potential drug targets on LMCs to improve lymphatic vessel function.
Journal
Developmental Cell
Volume
60
First Page
1
Last Page
16
Department
Biomedical Engineering
DOI
10.1016/j.devcel.2024.12.010
Recommended Citation
Lei PJ, Ruscic KJ, Roh K, Rajotte JJ, O'Melia MJ, Bouta EM, Marquez M, Pereira ER, Kumar AS, Razavi MS, Zhou H, Menzel L, Huang L, Kumra H, Duquette M, Huang P, Baish JW, Munn LL, Kurpios NA, Ubellacker JM, Padera TP. Aging-induced changes in lymphatic muscle cell transcriptomes are associated with reduced pumping of peripheral collecting lymphatic vessels in mice. Dev Cell. 2024 Dec 19:S1534-5807(24)00732-9. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.12.010. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39731913. Format:
