title: Lymphatic System in Cardiovascular Medicine.
abstract: The mammalian circulatory system comprises both the cardiovascular system and the lymphatic system. In contrast to the blood vascular circulation, the lymphatic system forms a unidirectional transit pathway from the extracellular space to the venous system. It actively regulates tissue fluid homeostasis, absorption of gastrointestinal lipids, and trafficking of antigen-presenting cells and lymphocytes to lymphoid organs and on to the systemic circulation. The cardinal manifestation of lymphatic malfunction is lymphedema. Recent research has implicated the lymphatic system in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases including obesity and metabolic disease, dyslipidemia, inflammation, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and myocardial infarction. Here, we review the most recent advances in the field of lymphatic vascular biology, with a focus on cardiovascular disease.
authors: From the Wihuri Research Institute (A.A., M.R.R., S.K., K.A.) and Translational Cancer Biology Program, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland (A.A., M.R.R., K.A.); and Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (T.M.).
authors: Aleksanteri
authors: A
authors: Aspelund
authors: From the Wihuri Research Institute (A.A., M.R.R., S.K., K.A.) and Translational Cancer Biology Program, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland (A.A., M.R.R., K.A.); and Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (T.M.).
authors: Marius R
authors: MR
authors: Robciuc
authors: From the Wihuri Research Institute (A.A., M.R.R., S.K., K.A.) and Translational Cancer Biology Program, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland (A.A., M.R.R., K.A.); and Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (T.M.).
authors: Sinem
authors: S
authors: Karaman
authors: From the Wihuri Research Institute (A.A., M.R.R., S.K., K.A.) and Translational Cancer Biology Program, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland (A.A., M.R.R., K.A.); and Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (T.M.).
authors: Taija
authors: T
authors: Makinen
authors: From the Wihuri Research Institute (A.A., M.R.R., S.K., K.A.) and Translational Cancer Biology Program, Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland (A.A., M.R.R., K.A.); and Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden (T.M.). kari.alitalo@helsinki.fi.
authors: Kari
authors: K
authors: Alitalo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D042583:Lymphangiogenesis; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015398:Signal Transduction
keywords: cardiovascular diseases; endothelial cells; lymphangiogenesis; vascular endothelial growth factor C; vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3