Table I.
Brief characteristics of the analysed genes.
| Gene symbola | Brief characteristics of the encoded protein role in lymphatic system development and functioning | Assay ID | (Refs.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| VEGFC | Vascular endothelial growth factor C, a VEGF family member, is the most potent inducer of lymphatic endothelial cell migration and sprouting, is a ligand for the receptor tyrosine kinases VEGFR2 and VEGFR3 | Hs01099203_m1 | (5,25) |
| VEGFD/FIGF | Vascular endothelial growth factor D, a VEGF family member, is an inducer of lymphatic sprouting | Hs01128657_m1 | (5,25) |
| VEGFA | Vascular endothelial growth factor A, a founder of VEGF family, a key regulator of tumor angiogenesis, but also essential for lymphatic vessel formation | Hs00900055_m1 | (23,33) |
| VEGFR3/FLT4 | Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3, fms-like tyrosine kinase 4, the main receptor for VEGFC, also binds VEGFD, is expressed by lymphatic endothelial cells, on some blood vessels and stem cells | Hs01047677_m1 | (5,25) |
| VEGFR2/KDR | Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, is found in blood vessels and in a subset of lymphatic vessels, binds vascular growth factors VEGFA and VEGFC | Hs00911700_m1 | (23,33) |
| VEGFR1/FLT1 | Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1, fms-like tyrosine kinase 1, VEGFA receptor | Hs01052961_m1 | (23,33) |
| NRP2 | Neuropilin-2-VEGFR3 co-receptor is found on lymphatic vessels, binds the lymphangiogenic growth factors VEGFC and VEGFD, also expressed on veins | Hs00187290_m1 | (60,61) |
| ITGA9 | Integrin a9, cell-matrix adhesion receptor, is critical for lymphatic valve maturation | Hs00979865_m1 | (59) |
| LYVE1 | Lymphatic vessel hyaluronan receptor, is strongly expressed on the surface of lymphatic endothelial cells of growing vessels during lymphangiogenesis, and also on some blood vessels and macrophages; participates in cell migration and differentiation | Hs00272659_m1 | (35,36) |
| PDPN | Podoplanin-glomerular podocyte mucoprotein, is expressed on lymphatic but not on blood vessel endothelium, osteoblasts, renal podocytes, lung alveolar cells; participates in cell motility | Hs00366766_m1 | (38,54) |
| PROX1 | Prospero-related homeobox domain 1 transcription factor, plays a key role for lymphatic endothelial cell differentiation and maintenance of their identity | Hs00896293_m1 | (40,41) |
| FOXC2 | Forkhead box C2 transcription factor, is essential for the normal development of the lymphatic system | Hs00270951_s1 | (37) |
| FGF2 | Fibroblast growth factor 2, is important for tumor angiogenesis but also promotes lymphangiogenesis via an indirect mechanism involving VEGFC/VEGFR3 signaling | Hs00266645_m1 | (55) |
| SYK | Spleen tyrosine kinase, possible indirect role through inhibition of cell motility and enhancement of cell-cell interactions | Hs00895377_m1 | (58) |
| DSP | Desmoplakin, a key component of desmosomal plague proteins, may contribute to vessel formation | Hs00950591_m1 | (56,57) |
a
According to HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee.