Lymphangiogenesis

Article By:

Paupert, Jenny Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliqué-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.

Noël, Agnès Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, Groupe Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliqué-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.

Last reviewed:August 2019

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.393170

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• Lymphangiogenesis, published June 2014:Download PDF Get Adobe Acrobat Reader

The formation of new lymphatic vessels that are part of the lymphatic system carrying the fluid called lymph. Lymphatic vessels regulate tissue homeostasis, immune cell trafficking, and the absorption of dietary fats. Lymphangiogenesis occurs primarily during embryonic development. In adults, this biological process is closely associated with several pathologies, including lymphedema (a type of tissue swelling), cancer, chronic inflammation, autoimmunity, and transplant rejection. The explosion of interest in lymphangiogenesis is the result of its involvement in transplant rejection and tumor metastasis, as well as the identification of specific lymphatic markers that have paved the way for new research. Nowadays, lymphangiogenesis is clearly viewed as a therapeutic target. This article will provide an overview of the lymphatic functions (Fig. 1), the factors governing lymphangiogenesis processes, and the therapies being developed to target pathological lymphangiogenesis. See also: Autoimmunity; Cancer; Clinical immunology; Disease; Edema; Immunology; Inflammation; Lymphatic system; Transplantation biology; Tumor; Vascular disorders

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