File:Lymphatic vasculature 02.jpg

Main steps of mammalian lymphatic vascular development

1. Lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) are specified in embryonic veins.
2. LECs sprout toward Vegf-c–producing mesodermal cells and aggregate to form lymph sacs.
3. Further sprouting produces the lymphatic primary plexus composed of capillary-like vessels. Myeloid cells produce cytokines and regulate lymphatic vascular morphogenesis.
4. Primary plexus is further remodeled to form collecting, precollecting, and capillary compartments. Precollecting and collecting lymphatic vessels have intraluminal valves and basement membrane coverage. Collecting lymphatic vessels are surrounded by SMCs (red). (box) Genes important for collecting lymphatic vessel development.

Links: Structure Cartoon | Development Cartoon | Lymphangion Cartoon | Vasculature cartoon | Lymphatic Development | Immune Development

Reference

<pubmed>21576390</pubmed>| PMC3166860 | J Cell Biol.

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© 2011 Schulte-Merker et al.

Above text modified from figure 2A legend.

The Rockefeller University Press, doi: 10.1083/jcb.201012094