title: Molecular and cellular mechanisms of lymphatic vascular maturation.
abstract: Lymphatic vasculature is necessary for maintaining fluid homeostasis in vertebrates. During embryogenesis lymphatic endothelial cells originate from the veins as a homogeneous population. These cells undergo a series of changes at the morphological and molecular levels to become mature lymphatic vasculature that consists of lymphatic capillaries, collecting lymphatic vessels and valves. In this article we summarize our current knowledge about these steps and highlight some black boxes that require further clarification.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
authors.forename: Courtney
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. Electronic address: lijun-xia@omrf.org.
authors.forename: Lijun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Biology Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. Electronic address: sathish-srinivasan@omrf.org.
authors.forename: R Sathish
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Srinivasan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D047108:Embryonic Development; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008196:Lymph / Q000378:metabolism; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D013997:Time Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D015027:Zebrafish
chemical_list: D014157:Transcription Factors
keywords: Blood; Lymph; Lymph sac; Lymphatic capillaries; Lymphatic collecting vessels; Lymphatic endothelial cells; Platelets; Prox1; Smooth muscle cells; Valves