Regulation of developmental lymphangiogenesis by leucocytes

Blood and lymph vessels are the conduits of our body. Arteries provide nutrients and oxygen for the tissues, while veins remove metabolic waste and carbon dioxide. Strictly separate from the blood circuitry runs the lymphatic system, which returns interstitial fluid and immune cells into the venous circulation and therefore is essential for immunity. Separation of the vascular systems is an active process in which blood cells play a major role: They can influence the growth of lymphatic vessels. This is of significance for the development of future therapies for vascular diseases.