An OMRF scientist has identified a method for controlling a protein known to help cancer cells spread in the body.
The findings could have implications not only for treating cancer but also for diabetes and other conditions in which the protein, known as VEGFR3, may be involved.
In a research study published in the journal Science Signaling, OMRF’s Hong Chen, Ph.D., led a team of researchers that identified a method for controlling VEGFR3. The protein occurs naturally in the body and is believed to help regulate the function of the lymphatic system, a part of the circulatory system.
“Unidirectional lymph flow controlled by epsins provides therapeutic targets to improve lymphedema during breast cancer surgery,” said Chen. “This could be a significant finding and the added benefits potentially found for limiting cancer spread and aiding in diabetes relief makes this research exciting to be a part of.”
Lymphatic vessels provide one way for bacterial products to contact the immune system and moves protective lymphocytes in and out of lymph nodes. A series of valves ensures that lymph fluid moves in the correct direction. However, defects in lymph circulation can result in swelling, called edema, and occurs frequently in connection with diabetes and breast cancer.
Despite scientists’ understanding of this intricate system, many questions remain regarding how lymphatic valves normally develop and how they maintain proper working order throughout life.
“When a patient has breast cancer surgery, doctors often remove the lymph nodes adjacent to the tumor to make sure the cancer cells are eliminated completely,” said Chen. “Once they remove the lymph nodes, it disrupts the lymphatic function, causing those patients to develop edema of the limbs.”
This protein could have therapeutic potential for treating these patients and also for controlling the spread of cancer cells throughout the body, Chen said. The protein may also have potential for accelerating wound healing in diabetes patients, who tend to heal more slowly than healthy individuals, particularly in injuries in the lower extremities.
By adjusting levels of this protein, scientists may have the ability to reduce recovery time for these patients and lower the risk of limb loss.
“These new applications of this protein have the potential to lead to medical discoveries that would greatly benefit patients suffering from these diseases,” said Chen.
Other OMRF scientists who contributed are Sathish Srinivasan, Courtney Griffin, Lijun Xia, Jonathan Wren and the first author was Xiaolei Liu.
The research is funded by grant P20 GM103441 from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and R01 HL118676 from the Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, all parts of the National Institutes of Health.