Understanding the role of CXCR7 in lymphodema following radiation injury

Summary We have performed a raft of functional bioassays to specifically interrogate the key functions of lymphatic endothelial cells during the course of radiation induced lymphodema and have developed genomic, proteomic and metabolic platforms to understand the key signalling and communication pathways between lymphatic endothelial cells and their microenvironment critical for disease evolution. CXCR7, a chemokine receptor was one such gene shown to be differentially expressed during radiation injury. We would like to understand the role of this orphan receptor in radiation injury in animal models of radiation-induced lymphodema.

Project Details

The range of cancers for which radiotherapy is being used is ever expanding with unavoidable dose exposure that occurs in surrounding normal cells.  This radiation exposure does not have the effect of simply killing normal cells; but elicits a permanent damage or injury profile that not only persists, but continues to evolve throughout the life of the patient. These changes result in ongoing tissue contracture, pain, lymphodema, and tissue breakdown; in turn leading to significant disability, impairment of quality of life, infection, and potentially life-threatening exposure of vital structures. We have performed a raft of functional bioassays to specifically interrogate the key functions of lymphatic endothelial cells during the course of radiation induced lymphodema and have developed genomic, proteomic and metabolic platforms to understand the key signalling and communication pathways between lymphatic endothelial cells and their microenvironment critical for disease evolution. CXCR7, a chemokine receptor was one such gene shown to be differentially expressed during radiation injury. We would like to understand the role of this orphan receptor in radiation injury in animal models of radiation-induced lymphodema. The project will develop skills in cell biology, cell purification, FACs, bioinformatics and genetic mouse models.

This project is conducted in St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, Lympathic and Regenerative Surgery Group, (O’Brien Institute Department of SVI).