The homeobox transcription factor Prox1 is considered as a master regulator for the differentiation and function of lymphatic endothelial cells. To date, we identified Ets family transcription factors as a positive regulator of Prox1 function, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signal as a Prox1-regulated signal transduction pathway. In addition to them, we report, as a negative regulator of Prox1 expression, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), which is an inducer of endothelial mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in lymphatic endothelial cells, and its underlying molecular mechanism.

After revascularization, intimal hyperplasia is based on inflammation and involves vascular smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation. We focused on anti-inflammatory specialized lipid mediators (SPM) such as resolvin, an unsaturated fatty acid metabolite that has an inflammation-converging effect. Although SPM is promising, it requires a proper drug delivery system (DDS) targeted at the lesion site to construct a therapeutic system because it owns fragile property. Nucleic acids having anti-inflammatory action will also be discussed from the viewpoint of anti-inflammatory action and DDS.

We retrospectively investigated 15 pregnant women with DVT at our hospital since effective treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is critical for preventing deaths from pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). Ten of these cases experienced onset during pregnancy while 5 began postpartum. Anticoagulant therapy was chosen for 11 cases while an inferior vena cava filter (IVC-F) was used in 6. Although the retrieval of the filter was attempted in 3 of the 4 cases fitted with a retrievable IVC filter, it could not be removed in 2. There were 4 cases of DVT recurrence during the target period; the patient with antiphospholipid syndrome experienced a relapse of DVT in the contralateral lower limb one month after stopping an anticoagulant while the patient with popliteal vein DVT in early pregnancy experienced DVT recurrence postpartum resulting in PTE. The other 2 patients experienced DVT recurrence during subsequent pregnancies. All symptomatic DVT recurred when no anticoagulant therapy was given. It appears advantageous for those experiencing pregnancy-related DVT to receive anticoagulation therapy from the initial onset of symptoms to the end of the gestational period and throughout the entirety of any subsequent pregnancies. Furthermore, temporary filter usage is preferable due to better retrieval conditions.