Lymphangiogenesis
Encyclopedia
Lymphangiogenesis is the formation of lymphatic vessels from pre-existing lymphatic vessels, in a method believed to be similar to blood vessel development or angiogenesis
.
Lymphangiogenesis plays an important physiological role in homeostasis
, metabolism
and immunity
. Lymphatic vessel formation has also been implicated in a number of pathological conditions including neoplasm metastasis
, oedema, rheumatoid arthritis
, psoriasis
and impaired wound healing.
The role of the lymphatic system
in these diseases has received renewed interest largely due to the recent discovery of specific lymphatic markers such as Podoplanin, LYVE-1, PROX-1, desmoplakin
, VEGF-C
, VEGF-D and their receptor VEGFR-3. These specific markers have enabled new insights into functional and molecular lymphatic biology.
The LECs （lymphatic endothelial cells） which has closely relationship with lymphangiogenesis are terminally differentiated cells distinct from blood vascular endothelial cells.
There are several lymphangiogenesis inducer such as hyaluronic acid and Ephrin-B2.
Angiogenesis
Angiogenesis is the physiological process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels. Though there has been some debate over terminology, vasculogenesis is the term used for spontaneous blood-vessel formation, and intussusception is the term for the formation of new blood...
.
Lymphangiogenesis plays an important physiological role in homeostasis
Homeostasis
Homeostasis is the property of a system that regulates its internal environment and tends to maintain a stable, constant condition of properties like temperature or pH...
, metabolism
Metabolism
Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that happen in the cells of living organisms to sustain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments. Metabolism is usually divided into two categories...
and immunity
Immunity (medical)
Immunity is a biological term that describes a state of having sufficient biological defenses to avoid infection, disease, or other unwanted biological invasion. Immunity involves both specific and non-specific components. The non-specific components act either as barriers or as eliminators of wide...
. Lymphatic vessel formation has also been implicated in a number of pathological conditions including neoplasm metastasis
Metastasis
Metastasis, or metastatic disease , is the spread of a disease from one organ or part to another non-adjacent organ or part. It was previously thought that only malignant tumor cells and infections have the capacity to metastasize; however, this is being reconsidered due to new research...
, oedema, rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks synovial joints. The process produces an inflammatory response of the synovium secondary to hyperplasia of synovial cells, excess synovial fluid, and the development...
, psoriasis
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system mistakes the skin cells as a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious. However, psoriasis has been linked to an increased risk of...
and impaired wound healing.
The role of the lymphatic system
Lymphatic system
The lymphoid system is the part of the immune system comprising a network of conduits called lymphatic vessels that carry a clear fluid called lymph unidirectionally toward the heart. Lymphoid tissue is found in many organs, particularly the lymph nodes, and in the lymphoid follicles associated...
in these diseases has received renewed interest largely due to the recent discovery of specific lymphatic markers such as Podoplanin, LYVE-1, PROX-1, desmoplakin
Desmoplakin
Desmoplakin is a protein associated with desmosomes.Desmoplakin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the DSP gene. The C-terminus of desmoplakin binds with intermediate filaments. These are further sub divided to three homologous Plakin repeat domains . In the mid-region of desmoplakin, a...
, VEGF-C
Vascular endothelial growth factor
Vascular endothelial growth factor is a signal protein produced by cells that stimulates vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. It is part of the system that restores the oxygen supply to tissues when blood circulation is inadequate....
, VEGF-D and their receptor VEGFR-3. These specific markers have enabled new insights into functional and molecular lymphatic biology.
The LECs （lymphatic endothelial cells） which has closely relationship with lymphangiogenesis are terminally differentiated cells distinct from blood vascular endothelial cells.
There are several lymphangiogenesis inducer such as hyaluronic acid and Ephrin-B2.
Useful resources
Lymphangiogenesis and disease- Tumor-induced lymphangiogenesis: http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/v7/n2/full/nm0201_151.html
- Lymphangiogenesis and prosthetic joint failure: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/112222889/HTMLSTART