title: Flow control in our vessels: vascular valves make sure there is no way back.
abstract: The efficient transport of blood and lymph relies on competent intraluminal valves that ensure unidirectional fluid flow through the vessels. In the lymphatic vessels, lack of luminal valves causes reflux of lymph and can lead to lymphedema, while dysfunction of venous valves is associated with venous hypertension, varicose veins, and thrombosis that can lead to edema and ulcerations. Despite their clinical importance, the mechanisms that regulate valve formation are poorly understood and have only recently begun to be characterized. Here, we discuss new findings regarding the development of venous and lymphatic valves that indicate the involvement of common molecular mechanisms in regulating valve formation in different vascular beds.
authors.affiliation: Lymphatic Development Laboratory, Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3LY, UK. e.bazigou@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bazigou
authors.forename: Taija
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Makinen
mesh_terms: D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D042783:Endothelial Cells; D006801:Humans; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology*; D055422:Venous Valves / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*