# The Role of Tie1 in Gut and Mesenteric Lymphatic Function

> **NIH NIH R01** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · $467,016

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The lymphatic system is critical for tissue fluid homeostasis, lipid absorption, and immune surveillance and is
no longer considered a “passive bystander” in pathological processes. The digestive lymphatic system, includ-
ing intestinal and mesenteric lymphatics, plays a critical role in several pathological processes including obe-
sity, metabolic disease, and dyslipidemia in addition to lymphedema and inflammation.3,4 While prenatal lym-
phatic development has been an area of intensive investigation, insights into factors involved in post-natal reg-
ulation of lymphatic maturation, remodeling, and maintenance of lymphatic structure and function is limited.
Our laboratory has recently shown that the receptor tyrosine kinase TIE1 is required for lymphatic remodeling
and normal lymphatic function in utero, and that deletion of Tie1 specifically from the developing lymphatic vas-
culature prior to birth results in abnormal LV formation. We present new preliminary data that deletion of Tie1
in the early post-natal period results in malnutrition with poor weight gain, abnormal LV maturation, and asci-
tes. In contrast, we show that Tie1 deletion in the adult animal results in severe LV dysfunction and profound
diet-induced obesity (DIO) when challenged with a high fat diet (HFD). We hypothesize that TIE1 cell auton-
omous and non-cell autonomous signaling plays a unique role in orchestrating early post-natal LV and
lacteal maturation and function, and that TIE1 signaling is essential for maintenance of LV and lacteal
structure and function in the mature animal. Therefore, we propose to: 1) Delineate the specific role of
TIE1 signaling in early post-natal lacteal and LV maturation, and nutrient absorption, in vivo. Tie1fl/fl
mice and an inducible LEC Cre line, Prox1CreERT, will be used to produce LEC-specific, temporal deletion of
Tie1 (Tie1lecKO) in post-natal lymphatics. Quantitative and functional analyses will be used to characterize the
unique phenotypes that result from TIE1 attenuation in intestinal lacteals and mesenteric LVs. 2) Determine
the role of TIE1 in maintenance of lymphatic function in the adult and characterize its role in mediating
DIO. Tie1lecKO and control (Tie1fl/fl) adult mice will be place on a 60% HFD or normal chow for 6 weeks following
exposure to Tamoxifen. LV structure and function will be measured as well as alterations in body weight and
composition, levels of circulating hormones insulin, leptin and adiponectin, sensitivity to glucose and insulin,
and adipocyte morphology and inflammatory status. 3) Define the mechanisms of TIE1-mediated signaling
required for LV and lacteal remodeling and maintenance, in vivo. Utilizing CRISPR/Cas9, we have devel-
oped mice with missense mutations in critical intracellular domains of Tie1. Unique domain-specific effects on
LV and lacteal structure and function will be characterized in the early post-natal and adult animals during the
dynamic reorganization and maintena...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10045453
- **Project number:** 1R01DK125895-01
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** H Scott Baldwin
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $467,016
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-06-15 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10045453

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10045453, The Role of Tie1 in Gut and Mesenteric Lymphatic Function (1R01DK125895-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10045453. Licensed CC0.

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