TY - JOUR AB - <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> AU - S Grimaldo, M Garcia, H Zhang, L Chen DA - 2010/8// IS - 3 VL - 43 PB - International Society of Lymphology and the University of Arizona Libraries PY - 2010 TI - SPECIFIC ROLE OF LYMPHATIC MARKER PODOPLANIN IN RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIAL CELLS T2 - Lymphology UR - http://journals.librarypublishing.arizona.edu/lymph/article/id/3680/ ER -