Matrix stiffness primes lymphatic tube formation directed by vascular endothelial growth factor-C.

ABSTRACT: Dysfunction of the lymphatic system is associated with a wide range of disease phenotypes. The restoration of dysfunctional lymphatic vessels has been hypothesized as an innovative method to rescue healthy phenotypes in diseased states including neurological conditions, metabolic syndromes, and cardiovascular disease. Compared to the vascular system, little is known about the molecular regulation that controls lymphatic tube morphogenesis. Using synthetic hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels as a chemically and mechanically tunable system to preserve lymphatic endothelial cell (LECs) phenotypes, we demonstrate that low matrix elasticity primes lymphatic cord-like structure (CLS) formation directed by a high concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C). Decreasing the substrate

SUBMITTER: Alderfer L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8011948 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature