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Semin Thromb Hemost 2010; 36(3): 352-361
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1253457
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Heterogeneity and Plasticity of Lymphatic Endothelial Cells

Sunju Lee1 , Inho Choi1 , Young-Kwon Hong1
  • 1Departments of Surgery, and of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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Publication History

Publication Date:
20 May 2010 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Endothelial cells are found in most organs and tissues in our body. Despite their apparent morphological and functional similarities, endothelial cells exhibit remarkable heterogeneity and plasticity. In a strict sense, no two endothelial cells are identical in terms of their biological, immunological, functional, metabolic, morphological, and anatomical aspects. Their heterogeneity and plasticity are now known to be dependent upon and conferred by their microenvironments, arteriovenous-lymphatic cell identity, organ-specific vascular beds, fluid dynamics, vessel sizes, anatomical locations, physiological and pathological states, and more. Although abundant evidence is available to demonstrate endothelial heterogeneity in the blood vascular system, studies of heterogeneity and plasticity of lymphatic endothelial cells are limited because of the short history of lymphatic research. Nonetheless, a growing body of exciting work has begun to discover that lymphatic endothelial cells are as heterogeneous as blood vascular endothelial cells. In this article, we discuss the heterogeneity and plasticity of lymphatic endothelial cells.

KEYWORDS

Lymphatic - endothelial cell - heterogeneity - cell fate

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Young-Kwon HongPh.D. 

Assistant Professor, Departments of Surgery and of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California

1450 Biggy St. NRT6501, M/C9601, Los Angeles, CA 90033

Email: young.hong@usc.edu