TY - JOUR TI - Lymphangiogenesis in COPD: Another link in the pathogenesis of the disease AU - Hardavella, G. AU - Tzortzaki, E.G. AU - Siozopoulou, V. AU - Galanis, P. AU - Vlachaki, E. AU - Avgousti, M. AU - Stefanou, D. AU - Siafakas, N.M. JO - Advances in Respiratory Medicine PY - 2012 VL - 106 TODO - 5 SP - 687-693 PB - SN - null TODO - 10.1016/j.rmed.2011.11.011 TODO - biological marker; lymphatic endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1; monoclonal antibody D2-40; unclassified drug, aged; article; blood vessel parameters; chronic obstructive lung disease; clinical article; controlled study; correlation analysis; female; forced expiratory volume; human; human tissue; immunohistochemistry; lung parenchyma; lymph vessel; lymphangiogenesis; male; microvasculature; pathogenesis; priority journal; smoking; staining; statistical significance, Adult; Aged; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; Biological Markers; Endothelium, Lymphatic; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Lymphangiogenesis; Lymphatic Vessels; Male; Middle Aged; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Retrospective Studies; Smoking; Vesicular Transport Proteins TODO - Background: New lymphatic vessels are associated with tissue injury and repair. Recent studies have shown increased lymphatic follicles formation in the lungs of COPD patients. We hypothesized that lymphatic vascular remodeling could be part of COPD pathogenesis. Aim: To investigate the lymphangiogenetic process in COPD we measured the lymphatic microvessel density (LMVD), the lymphatic invasion (L.I), and their correlation with clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: Lung tissue from 20 COPD patients and 20 non-COPD smokers was immunohistochemically stained for D2-40 (lymphatic endothelial cell marker), and LYVE-1 (lymphatic endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1). Both groups had similar age and smoking history. Results: D2-40 and LYVE-1 were expressed in all specimens. Lymphatic invasion was presented only in COPD specimens. Lymphatic microvessel density (LMVD) as revealed by D2-40 and LYVE-1 markers was statistically significantly higher in COPD patients when compared with non-COPD smokers. Both markers (D2-40, LYVE-1) were correlated with FEV1 (% pred) (R 2 = 0.415, R 2 = 0.605, respectively). Conclusions: We report for the first time high lymphatic microvessel density and lymphatic invasion in COPD patients, related to the degree of airway obstruction. Our findings could provide novel insights in the pathogenesis of the disease. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. ER -