ABSTRACT
Lymphangiogenesis..................................................................................... 53 Growth factors and receptors involved in lymphangiogenesis........... 54
VEGF family of growth factors..................................................... 54 Receptors that bind VEGFs ........................................................... 54
VEGF receptors ................................................................. 54 Neuropilins........................................................................ 56
VEGF-C ............................................................................................. 57 VEGF-D............................................................................................. 58
Lymphangiogenesis in disease .................................................................. 61 Lymphedema ................................................................................... 61 Tumor metastasis ............................................................................ 63
Concluding remarks .................................................................................... 65 Acknowledgments ....................................................................................... 65 References...................................................................................................... 66
Lymphangiogenesis The lymphatic system comprises an extensive network of capillaries, collecting vessels, and ducts that permeate most organs of the body (reviewed by Oliver and Detmar1). Lymphatic vessels are essential in transporting tissue fluid, extravasated plasma proteins, and cells back to the blood circulation. The lymphatic system also contributes to immune surveillance and it absorbs fat from the digestive tract. Lymphatic capillaries are blind-ended vessels that, unlike blood capillaries, lack pericytes and continuous basal lamina, and contain large interendothelial pores. Lymphatic capillaries also contain
anchoring filaments that connect the vessels to the extracellular matrix, maintaining the patency of the vessels during increased tissue pressure.
