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Updated: Jan 4, 2026
Isolation of Human Lymphatic Endothelial Cells by Multi-parameter Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting
Published on: May 1, 2015
New insights about the lymphatic vasculature in cardiovascular diseases
Xiaolei Liu1, Guillermo Oliver1
1Center for Vascular and Developmental Biology, Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
Insights
Cardiac lymphatic vessels, crucial for fluid balance, are increasingly recognized as a potential therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases. Research is rapidly advancing our understanding of their origin and function.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular biology
- Lymphatic system research
Background:
- The heart has a complex vasculature including blood and lymphatic vessels.
- Coronary blood vessels are well-researched, supplying cardiac tissue with oxygen and nutrients.
- Cardiac lymphatic vessels maintain tissue fluid balance by draining excess interstitial fluid.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the growing understanding of cardiac lymphatic vasculature.
- To emphasize the potential of cardiac lymphatics as a therapeutic target.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent evidence on cardiac lymphatic vessels.
- Analysis of the origin and function of cardiac lymphatics.
Main Results:
- Cardiac lymphatic vessels, including capillaries and collecting vessels, are present throughout the heart.
- Significant information gaps regarding cardiac lymphatics have been recently addressed.
- Cardiac lymphatics are implicated in maintaining cardiac tissue fluid homeostasis.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac lymphatic vessels are vital for cardiac health.
- Emerging evidence supports cardiac lymphatics as a promising therapeutic target for cardiovascular conditions.
Abstract:
The heart contains a complex network of blood and lymphatic vessels. The coronary blood vessels provide the cardiac tissue with oxygen and nutrients and have been the major focus of research for the past few decades. Cardiac lymphatic vessels, which consist of lymphatic capillaries and collecting lymphatic vessels covering all layers of the heart, transport excess fluid from the interstitium and play important roles in maintaining tissue fluid balance. Unlike for the coronary blood vessels, until a few years ago, not much information was available on the origin and function of the cardiac-associated lymphatic vasculature. A growing body of evidence indicates that cardiac lymphatic vessels (lymphatics) may serve as a therapeutic cardiovascular target.
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