Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Signaling in Macrophages Promotes Lymphangiogenesis in Leishmania major Infection.

Vascular remodeling is a phenomenon seen in the cutaneous lesions formed during infection with parasites. Within the lesion, Leishmania major infection leads to the infiltration of inflammatory cells, including macrophages, and is associated with hypoxic conditions and lymphangiogenesis in the local site. This low-oxygen environment is concomitant with the expression of hypoxic inducible factors (HIFs), which initiate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) in macrophages during the infection.