An unexpected role of semaphorin3a-neuropilin-1 signaling in lymphatic vessel maturation and valve formation.

Rationale: Lymphatic vasculature plays important roles in tissue fluid homeostasis maintenance and in the pathology of human diseases. Yet, the molecular mechanisms that control lymphatic vessel maturation remain largely unknown.

Objective: We analyzed the gene expression profiles of ex vivo isolated lymphatic endothelial cells to identify novel lymphatic vessel expressed genes and we investigated the role of semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) and neuropilin-1 (Nrp-1) in lymphatic vessel maturation and function.