Abstract
The lymphatic vasculature is emerging as a multifaceted regulator of tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Lymphatic vessels drain fluid, macromolecules, and immune cells from peripheral tissues to lymph nodes (LNs) and the systemic circulation. Their recently uncovered functions extend beyond drainage and include direct modulation of adaptive immunity and paracrine regulation of organ growth. The developmental mechanisms controlling lymphatic vessel growth have been described with increasing precision. It is less clear how the essential functional features of lymphatic vessels are established and maintained. We discuss the mechanisms that maintain lymphatic vessel integrity in adult tissues and control vessel repair and regeneration. This knowledge is crucial for understanding the pathological vessel changes that contribute to disease, and provides an opportunity for therapy development.
Highlights
Lymphatic vessels have crucial general functions in the maintenance of tissue fluid homeostasis, immune cell trafficking, and reverse cholesterol transport and exhibit several tissuespecific functions that support vital organ functions
Beyond the drainage functions of lymphatic vessels, emerging evidence demonstrates that lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) have active roles in shaping local immune responses through direct modulation of adaptive immunity, and this is linked to their ability to present antigens for controlling T cell tolerance and immunity [7,8,9]
The traditionally viewed passive lymphatic drainage system is becoming recognized as an active multifaceted player in many important physiological processes (Figure 1) and in common diseases including autoimmune disease, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer [1,2] see Clinician's corner)
Summary
The lymphatic vasculature is emerging as a multifaceted regulator of tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Macromolecules, and immune cells from peripheral tissues to lymph nodes (LNs) and the systemic circulation. Their recently uncovered functions extend beyond drainage and include direct modulation of adaptive immunity and paracrine regulation of organ growth. We discuss the mechanisms that maintain lymphatic vessel integrity in adult tissues and control vessel repair and regeneration This knowledge is crucial for understanding the pathological vessel changes that contribute to disease, and provides an opportunity for therapy development. The mechanisms that maintain lymphatic vessel integrity in adult tissues, and that control vessel repair as well as regeneration upon injury, are poorly characterized but are crucial for understanding the contribution of lymphatic vessels to disease processes.
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