Angiopoietin-4 increases permeability of blood vessels and promotes lymphatic dilation.

The angiopoietin (Ang) ligands are potential therapeutic targets for lymphatic related diseases, which include lymphedema and cancer. Ang-1 and Ang-2 functions are established, but those of Ang-4 are poorly understood. We used intravital fluorescence microscopy to characterize Ang-4 actions on T241 murine fibrosarcoma-associated vessels in mice.

Vascular endothelial growth factor-C enhances radiosensitivity of lymphatic endothelial cells.

Radiation therapy after lymph node dissection increases the risk of developing painful and incurable lymphedema in breast cancer patients. Lymphedema occurs when lymphatic vessels become unable to maintain proper fluid balance. The sensitivity of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) to ionizing radiation has not been reported to date.