HYPERPLASIA OF LYMPHATIC VESSELS IN VEGF-C TRANSGENIC MICE

No growth factors specific for the lymphatic vascular system have yet been described. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) regulates va scular permeability and angiogenesis, but does not promote lymphangiog enesis. Overexpression of VEGF-C, a ligand of the VEGF receptors VEGFR -3 and VEGFR-2, in the skin of transgenic mice resulted in lymphatic, but not vascular, endothelial proliferation and vessel enlargement. Th us, VEGF-C induces selective hyperplasia of the lymphatic vasculature, which is involved in the draining of interstitial fluid and in immune function, inflammation, and tumor metastasis. VEGF-C may play a role in disorders involving the lymphatic system and may be of potential us e in therapeutic lymphangiogenesis.