Work

Lymphatic development

Year: 2009

Type: review

Abstract: The lymphatic system is essential for fluid homeostasis, immune responses, and fat absorption, and is involved in many pathological processes, including tumor metastasis and lymphedema. Despite its importance, progress in understanding the origins and early development of this system has been hampered by lack of defining molecular markers and difficulties in observing lymphatic cells in vivo and performing genetic and experimental manipulation of the lymphatic system. Recent identification of new molecular markers, new genes with important functional roles in lymphatic development, and new experimental models for studying lymphangiogenesis has begun to yield important insights into the emergence and assembly of this important tissue. This review focuses on the mechanisms regulating development of the lymphatic vasculature during embryogenesis.

Source: Birth Defects Research Part C Embryo Today Reviews

DOI: 10.1002/bdrc.20155

Authors: Matthew G. Butler, Sumio Isogai, Brant M. Weinstein

Institutions: National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Iwate Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Lymphatic System and Diseases

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development