cKit Lineage Hemogenic Endothelium-Derived Cells Contribute to Mesenteric Lymphatic Vessels

• Published in: Cell reports (Cambridge) 2015-03, Vol.10 (10), p.1708-1721
• Main Authors: Stanczuk, Lukas, Martinez-Corral, Ines, Ulvmar, Maria H., Zhang, Yang, Laviña, Bàrbara, Fruttiger, Marcus, Adams, Ralf H., Saur, Dieter, Betsholtz, Christer, Ortega, Sagrario, Alitalo, Kari, Graupera, Mariona, Mäkinen, Taija
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2211-1247; 2211-1247
• DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.02.026

Pathological lymphatic diseases mostly affect vessels in specific tissues, yet little is known about organ-specific regulation of the lymphatic vasculature. Here, we show that the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR-3)/p110α PI3-kinase signaling pathway is selectively required for the formation of mesenteric lymphatic vasculature. Using genetic lineage tracing, we demonstrate that part of the mesenteric lymphatic vasculature develops from cKit lineage cells of hemogenic endothelial origin through a process we define as lymphvasculogenesis. This is contrary to the current dogma that all mammalian lymphatic vessels form by sprouting from veins. Our results reveal vascular-bed-specific differences in the origin and mechanisms of vessel formation, which may critically underlie organ-specific manifestation of lymphatic dysfunction in disease. The progenitor cells identified in this study may be exploited to restore lymphatic function following cancer surgery, lymphedema, or tissue trauma. [Display omitted] •VEGFR-3/PI3K signaling regulates organ-specific mesenteric lymphatic development•Different lymphatic vascular beds have different origins•Hemogenic endothelium-derived cells contribute to mesenteric lymphatic vessels•Mesenteric lymphatic vessels develop by a process defined as lymphvasculogenesis Stanczuk et al. show that lymphatic vessels in different organs are of different origins. Lymphatic vessels in the mesentery develop from hemogenic endothelium-derived cells, unlike lymphatic vessels in other organs that form via sprouting from veins.