Molecular targets for therapeutic lymphangiogenesis in lymphatic dysfunction and disease.

Molecular targets for therapeutic lymphangiogenesis in lymphatic dysfunction and disease.
Lymphat Res Biol. 2008
Nakamura K, Rockson SG.

Stanford Center for Lymphatic and Venous Disorders, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California.

Abstract

The convergence of multiple disciplines upon the study of the lymphatic vasculature has invigorated a renaissance of research, using powerful investigative tools and an exponential growth of interest in this historically underappreciated system. Fundamental discoveries in lymphatic development have yielded relevant animal models for vexing clinical diseases that suffer from nonexistent of minimally effective treatments. Inherited and acquired lymphedema represent the current crux of research efforts to identify potential molecular therapies born from these early discoveries. The importance of the lymphatic system is, however, not limited to lymphedema but encompasses a diverse spectrum of human disease including inflammation and cancer metastasis. As the lymphatic vasculature continues to benefit from fruits of biomedical investigation, translation of mechanistic insights into targeted, rationally-conceived therapeutics will be become a reality.

Mary Ann Liebert Publications

The lymphatic system in health and disease.

The lymphatic system in health and disease.
Cueni LN, Detmar M.
Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Abstract

The lymphatic vascular system has an important role in the regulation of tissue pressure, immune surveillance and the absorption of dietary fat in the intestine. There is growing evidence that the lymphatic system also contributes to a number of diseases, such as lymphedema, cancer metastasis and different inflammatory disorders. The discovery of various molecular markers allowing the distinction of blood and lymphatic vessels, together with the availability of a increasing number of in vitro and in vivo models to study various aspects of lymphatic biology, has enabled tremendous progress in research into the development and function of the lymphatic system. This review discusses recent advances in our understanding of the embryonic development of the lymphatic vasculature, the molecular mechanisms mediating lymphangiogenesis in the adult, the role of lymphangiogenesis in chronic inflammation and lymphatic cancer metastasis, and the emerging importance of the lymphatic vasculature as a therapeutic target.

Mary Ann Liebert Publcations