The mRNA based system used in the development of coronavirus vaccines may also be able to stimulate lymphatic growth and successfully treat lymphedema. Currently, there is no definitive treatment option for lymphedema. This mRNA based therapeutic platform was developed by the researchers of Semmelweis University in an international cooperation. The system can induce organ-specific lymphatic growth, which can be used for developing new therapies in the future. The article was published in Nature Communications.
The lymphatic system regulates interstitial fluid balance and lipid absorption from the small intestine. It has an essential role in the immune defense mechanisms. Lymphatic vessels are part of the lymphatic system, several novel and unexpected functions of the lymphatics have been recently revealed including blood pressure regulation, but they might also play a crucial role in nervous system disorders.
“This is one of the hottest fields in science right now – added dr. Zoltán Jakus, associate professor of the Department of Physiology at Semmelweis University.
The aim of our research was to understand the organ-specific functions of lymphatic vessels. The results can bring us closer to a new treatment of lymphatic edema, which is caused by damaged lymphatic vessels. This disease (which has no targeted therapy) affects millions of people worldwide.
Lymphatic edema is primarily caused by cancer in developed countries, but other underlying causes can be inflammation or injuries, whereas in tropical countries lymphedema is a common disease mainly caused by parasites. 
The mRNA based system is a novel, highly effective, and safe therapeutic modality that is used mainly for vaccine development. Vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech are also based on this technology and were a great breakthrough in the fight against coronavirus. The research team of Semmelweis University led by dr. Zoltán Jakus worked in cooperation with Norbert Pardi, lead of the research group of the University of Pennsylvania in developing a new mRNA based system which can treat damaged lymphatic vessels in the long run.
“mRNA based coronavirus vaccines work by introducing a piece of mRNA into the body, that corresponds to a viral protein. Immune cells can identify foreign proteins, so the immune system can fight off viruses later. During our latest research we used the same method, but instead of viral proteins we administered a dose of a lymphatic vessel growth factor, which induced durable, organ-specific lymphatic growth””, said dr. Zoltán Jakus.
The researchers have got to the point where they could effectively induce organ-specific lymphatic vessel growth, helping them to understand the role of lymphatic vessels in certain organs. They have also been able to reverse lymphedema in animal models, which can form the basis to develop a new therapeutic approach,” – he added.
The results were published in Nature Communications on 8th June 2021. Major part of the research work was done by Dániel Szőke, first author of the article and dr. Gábor Kovács, PhD student, under the direction of dr. Zoltán Jakus.
Dr. Dániel Szőke, PhD student of Semmelweis University, member of the Scientific Students’ Association, joined the research group of Zoltán Jakus as a third year medical student. He emphasized that based on research data the application of this platform may be a viable strategy for the treatment of lymphedema. Also, the same concept could be used to treat chronic diseases, where lymphatic vessels play a role and stimulating lymphatic growth and function might be a solution.
Pálma Dobozi
Photo: Attila Kovács – Semmelweis University
Translation: Norbert Lukács
Szőke D, Kovács G, Kemecsei É, Bálint L, Szoták-Ajtay K, Aradi P, Styevkóné Dinnyés A, Mui BL, TamYK, Madden TD, Karikó K, Kataru RP, Hope MJ, Weissman D, Mehrara BJ, Pardi N and Jakus Z; Nucleoside-modified VEGFC mRNA induces organ-specific lymphatic growth and reverses experimental lymphedema. Nat Commun 12, 3460 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-23546-6
