title: Lymphatic vascular morphogenesis in development, physiology, and disease.
abstract: The lymphatic vasculature constitutes a highly specialized part of the vascular system that is essential for the maintenance of interstitial fluid balance, uptake of dietary fat, and immune response. Recently, there has been an increased awareness of the importance of lymphatic vessels in many common pathological conditions, such as tumor cell dissemination and chronic inflammation. Studies of embryonic development and genetically engineered animal models coupled with the discovery of mutations underlying human lymphedema syndromes have contributed to our understanding of mechanisms regulating normal and pathological lymphatic morphogenesis. It is now crucial to use this knowledge for the development of novel therapies for human diseases.
authors.affiliation: Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, and University Medical Centre, 3584 CT Utrecht, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schulte-Merker
authors.forename: Amélie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sabine
authors.forename: Tatiana V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Petrova
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008196:Lymph / Q000378:metabolism; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009024:Morphogenesis