Proteomic profiling of lymphedema development in mouse model

The lymphatic vascular system plays an important role in tissue fluid homeostasis. Lymphedema is a chronic, progressive, and incurable condition that leads to lymphatic fluid retention; it may be primary (heritable) or secondary (acquired) in nature. Although there is a growing understanding of lymphedema, methods for the prevention and treatment of lymphedema are still limited. In this study, we investigated differential protein expressions in sham-operated and lymphedema-operated mice for 3 days, using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass spectrometry analysis. Male improved methodology for culturing noninbred (ICR) mice developed lymphedema in the right hindlimb. Twenty functional proteins were found to be differentially expressed between lymphedema induced-right leg tissue and normal left leg tissue. Out of these proteins, the protein levels of apolipoprotein A-1 preprotein, alpha-actinin-3, mCG21744, parkinson disease, serum amyloid P-component precursor, annexin A8, mKIAA0098 protein, and fibrinogen beta chain precursor were differentially upregulated in the lymphedema mice compared with the sham-operated group. Western blotting analysis was used to validate the proteomics results. Our results showing differential up-regulation of serum amyloid P-component precursor, parkinson disease, and apolipoprotein A-1 preprotein in lymphedema model over sham-operated model suggest important insights into pathophysiological target for lymphedema.