Effect of Artemisinin on Cell Apoptosis and Lymphangiogenesis in Mouse Lymphatic Endothelial Cells

Objective: To explore the effect of antimalarial artemisinin(ART) on mouse lymphatic endothelial cells(LECs) proliferation,apoptosis and lymphangiogenesis.Methods: Benign lymphangiomas were induced by intraperitoneally injection of emulsified incomplete Freund's adjuvant and mechanically disrupted to obtain LECs.MTT assay was used to observe the inhibitory effect of ART on the growth of LECs.Rate of apoptosis of LECs was evaluated by flow cytometry using FITC-Annexin V/PI double staining.In vitro lymphangiogenesis of LECs was detected by matri-gel assay.Results: ART at 540 μmol/L significantly inhibited LECs proliferation.The different concentration of ART could induce the cell apoptosis of LECs.FITC-Annexin V/PI double staining showed ART treatment groups had higher rates of cell apoptosis compared to the control group in a dose-dependent manner.ART significantly suppressed spontaneous formation of characteristic lymphatic vessel-like structures.Conclusion: Artemisinin may be used as a promising anti-lymphangiogenesis inhibitor and its effect is related to the induced apoptosis.