%0 Journal Article %J Science (80- ) %D 1997 %T Hyperplasia of lymphatic vessels in VEGF-C transgenic mice %A Jeltsch, M %A Kaipainen, A %A Joukov, V %A Meng, X %A Lakso, M %A Rauvala, H %A Swartz, M %A Fukumura, D %A Jain, R K %A Alitalo, K %X No growth factors specific for the lymphatic vascular system have yet been described. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) regulates vascular permeability and angiogenesis, but does not promote lymphangiogenesis. Overexpression of VEGF-C, a ligand of the VEGF receptors VEGFR-3 and VEGFR-2, in the skin of transgenic mice resulted in lymphatic, but not vascular, endothelial proliferation and vessel enlargement. Thus, VEGF-C induces selective hyperplasia of the lymphatic vasculature, which is involved in the draining of interstitial fluid and in immune function, inflammation, and tumor metastasis. VEGF-C may play a role in disorders involving the lymphatic system and may be of potential use in therapeutic lymphangiogenesis. %B Science (80- ) %V 276 %P 1423 - 5 %8 1997/May/ %G eng %U http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9162011 %N 5317 %! Science