title: Heterogeneity in the lymphatic vascular system and its origin.
abstract: Lymphatic vessels have historically been viewed as passive conduits for fluid and immune cells, but this perspective is increasingly being revised as new functions of lymphatic vessels are revealed. Emerging evidence shows that lymphatic endothelium takes an active part in immune regulation both by antigen presentation and expression of immunomodulatory genes. In addition, lymphatic vessels play an important role in uptake of dietary fat and clearance of cholesterol from peripheral tissues, and they have been implicated in obesity and arteriosclerosis. Lymphatic vessels within different organs and in different physiological and pathological processes show a remarkable plasticity and heterogeneity, reflecting their functional specialization. In addition, lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) of different organs were recently shown to have alternative developmental origins, which may contribute to the development of the diverse lymphatic vessel and endothelial functions seen in the adult. Here, we discuss recent developments in the understanding of heterogeneity within the lymphatic system considering the organ-specific functional and molecular specialization of LECs and their developmental origin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 752 85 Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Maria H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Ulvmar
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Dag Hammarskjöldsväg 20, 752 85 Uppsala, Sweden taija.makinen@igp.uu.se.
authors.forename: Taija
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mäkinen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000378:metabolism; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D004729:Endothelium, Lymphatic / Q000378:metabolism*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000378:metabolism*; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
keywords: Haemogenic endothelium; Lymphangiogenesis; Lymphatic vascular development; Lymphatic vessel; Lymphvasculogenesis