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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
10:39
Advanced Imaging of Lung Homing Human Lymphocytes in an Experimental In Vivo Model of Allergic Inflammation Based on Light-sheet Microscopy
Published on: April 16, 2019
Lymphatic endothelial cells actively shape immune responses in the lungs
Amy K Rivers1, Camila Migues Ramirez1, Simon J Cleary1
1Institute of Pharmaceutical Science & Centre for Lung Health, King's College London, London, UK.
Current Opinion in Immunology
|June 15, 2026
Summary
Pulmonary lymphatic endothelial cells actively control lung inflammation and immunity. Understanding these specialized cells offers potential for new therapeutic strategies targeting lung lymphatic functions.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary immunology and lymphatic biology.
Background:
- Lymphatic vessels are crucial for fluid balance and immune surveillance.
- Lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) differentiate to perform organ-specific functions.
- Pulmonary LECs play key roles in lung inflammation, immunity, and tissue remodeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms by which pulmonary LECs regulate inflammation and immune responses.
- To highlight future research directions for therapeutic applications of lung lymphatic functions.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental evidence on pulmonary lymphatic endothelial cell functions.
- Analysis of mechanisms involving PAR1, LIFR, and VEGFR-3 signaling.
Main Results:
- Pulmonary LECs actively control inflammation and immune responses in the lungs.
- Mechanisms include PAR1-mediated junctional permeabilization and LIFR-mediated CCL21 release.
- VEGFR-3 activation has diverse effects on pulmonary lymphatic functions.
Conclusions:
- Pulmonary lymphatic endothelial cells are critical regulators of lung homeostasis.
- Further research into these mechanisms could lead to novel therapeutic interventions for lung diseases.
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