CCBE1 Enhances Lymphangiogenesis via A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease With Thrombospondin Motifs-3-Mediated Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C Activation

What is it about?

We discovered the disease mechanism of "Hennekam Syndrome" (a rare human genetic disease, that features lymphedema as a main symptom). At the same time, we solve a decade-old question in lymphatic research: How is the major lymphangiogenic growth factor (VEGF-C) activated? Precisely this activation is not working correctly in many patients with Hennekam Syndrome and we describe the molecular details of this activation.

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Why is it important?

A causal treatment of lymphedema requires an understanding of the molecular details of the growth of lymphatic vessels. In addition, the VEGF-C growth factor plays major roles in the cardiovascular system as it makes the blood vessels of the heart grow. It is perhaps also important for some cancers as it can enable tumors to grow by attracting blood vessels and make them spread by attracting lymphatic vessels. Hence, VEGF-C could be the key to the treatment of several important diseases.

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