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Lymphangiogenesis: in vitro and in vivo models
Author(s) -
Bruyère Françoise,
Noël Agnès
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fj.09-132852
Subject(s) - lymphangiogenesis , lymphatic system , lymphedema , in vivo , lymphatic endothelium , lymphatic vessel , medicine , immune system , pathology , biology , in vitro , cancer research , cancer , immunology , metastasis , breast cancer , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology
Lymphangiogenesis, the formation of new lymphatic vessels from preexisting ones, is an important biological process associated with diverse pathologies, such as metastatic dissemination and graft rejection. In addition, lymphatic hypoplasia characterizes lymphedema, usually a progressive and lifelong condition for which no curative treatment exists. Much progress has been made in recent years in identifying molecules specifically expressed on lymphatic vessels and in the setting up of in vitro and in vivo models of lymphangiogenesis. These new tools rapidly provided an abundance of information on the mechanisms underlying lymphatic development and the progression of diseases associated with lymphatic dysfunction. In this review, we describe the common in vitro and in vivo models of lymphangiogenesis that have proven suitable for investigating lymphatic biology and the interactions occurring between lymphatic vessels and other cells, such as immune cells and cancer cells. Their rationales and limitations are discussed and illustrated by the most informative findings obtained with them.—Bruyère, F., Noël, A. Lymphangiogenesis: in vitro and in vivo models. FASEB J . 24, 8–21 (2010). www.fasebj.org