title: microRNAs in the Lymphatic Endothelium: Master Regulators of Lineage Plasticity and Inflammation.
abstract: microRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved, small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. They have crucial roles in organismal development, homeostasis, and cellular responses to pathological stress. The lymphatic system is a large vascular network that actively regulates the immune response through antigen trafficking, cytokine secretion, and inducing peripheral tolerance. Here, we review the role of miRNAs in the lymphatic endothelium with a particular focus on their role in lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) plasticity, inflammation, and regulatory function. We highlight the lineage plasticity of LECs during inflammation and the importance of understanding the regulatory role of miRNAs in these processes. We propose that targeting miRNA expression in lymphatic endothelium can be a novel strategy in treating human pathologies associated with lymphatic dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, University of York , York , UK.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yee
authors.affiliation: Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, University of York , York , UK.
authors.forename: Mark C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Coles
authors.affiliation: Centre for Immunology and Infection, Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, University of York , York , UK.
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lagos
keywords: inflammation; lineage plasticity; lymphangiogenesis; lymphatic endothelial cells; microRNA