@article{lymph 3680, author = {S Grimaldo, M Garcia, H Zhang, L Chen}, title = {SPECIFIC ROLE OF LYMPHATIC MARKER PODOPLANIN IN RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIAL CELLS}, volume = {43}, year = {2010}, url = {http://journals.librarypublishing.arizona.edu/lymph/article/id/3680/}, issue = {3}, abstract = {<p>Podoplanin is a small transmembrane glycoprotein widely known to be a marker for lymphatic endothelial cells. In this study, we identify a novel localization of podoplanin in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a cellular monolayer critically involved in the visual process. Using a small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated gene silencing approach,we have also demonstrated, for the first time,that podoplanin depletion in human RPE cells leads to a marked reduction of cell aggregates and tight junctions. Additionally,the podoplanin-depleted cells also exhibit a significantly lower rate of proliferation. These data together indicate that podoplanin plays a crucial role in RPE cell functions. Further investigation on this factor may reveal novel mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for RPE-related eye diseases, such as proliferative retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.</p>}, month = {8}, pages = {128-134}, keywords = {podoplanin,retinal pigment epithelium,lymphatic,siRNA}, issn = {2522-7963}, publisher={International Society of Lymphology and the University of Arizona Libraries}, journal = {Lymphology} }