LYVE-1, the lymphatic system and tumor lymphangiogenesis

Previous research into hyaluronan (HA) has focused on the role of this abun dant tissue glycosaminoglycan in promoting cell migration through interacti ons with its transmembrane receptor CD44 on inflammatory leukocytes and tum or cells. The recent discovery of a new HA receptor, LYVE-1 (lymphatic vess el endothelial HA receptor), expressed predominantly in lymphatic vessels, highlights another aspect of HA biology: its continuous transit through the lymphatic system and its potential involvement in lymph node homing by CD4 4(+) leukocytes and tumor cells. The functional role of LYVE-1 in lymphatic vessels and its application as a marker to study tumor lymphangiogenesis a re important areas of investigation.