Articles

SPECIFIC ROLE OF LYMPHATIC MARKER PODOPLANIN IN RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIAL CELLS

Authors: S Grimaldo ( ) , M Garcia ( ) , H Zhang ( ) , L Chen ( )

Abstract

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.

Keywords: podoplanin, retinal pigment epithelium, lymphatic, siRNA

How to Cite: Grimaldo, S. , Garcia, M. , Zhang, H. & Chen, L. (2010) “SPECIFIC ROLE OF LYMPHATIC MARKER PODOPLANIN IN RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIAL CELLS”, Lymphology. 43(3).