Lymphatic vasculature is increased in heart valves, ischaemic and inflamed hearts and in cholesterol-rich and calcified atherosclerotic lesions

Abstract

The highest number of lymphatics was found in valves in infective endocarditis. Increases in lymphatics also accompanied major cardiac pathological changes, such as acute and chronic ischaemia, progressive atherosclerosis, myocarditis and hypertrophy. Thus, blocking of excess lymphangiogenesis might be useful in progressive atherosclerosis, whereas stimulation of lymphatic vascular growth and function might be useful in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.

Anatomy and roles of lymphatics in inflammatory diseases

“…157 Lymphovascular changes in myocarditis and DCM might also be exploited diagnostically and therapeutically. [156][157][158][159] In myocardial infarction, post-ischemic peri-infarct lymphovascular density increases are accompanied by elevated VEGF-C/-D, prospero homeobox protein-1 and lymphatic vascular endothelial hyaluronic acid receptor expression. 158 Dense expansion of myocardial lymphatics is found in the epicardium in both acute and chronic myocardial infarction.…”

Le système lymphatique cardiaque

“…Son rôle semble restreint au contrôle de la vasodilatation des vaisseaux lymphatiques au cours des pathologies inflammatoires [20,25]. [32]. Ce processus, décrit dans des pathologies inflammatoires cutanées, participe activement à la résolution de l'inflammation.…”

“…La densité lymphatique augmente en effet généralement dans les zones riches en matrice extracellulaire. On observe égale-ment une lymphangiogenèse accrue dans les valves au cours d'une endocardite infectieuse [32]. La prolifération de vaisseaux lymphatiques à la base des valves pourrait donc participer activement à l'afflux de cellules immunitaires dans l'endocarde, lors de pathologies cardiaques comme l'ischémie aiguë et chronique, l'hypertrophie ou les myocardites.…”

AIBP: A Novel Molecule at the Interface of Cholesterol Transport, Angiogenesis, and Atherosclerosis

“…9 Lymphatic vessels are found in the adventitia of arteries and are in close proximity to the blood vessels. 10 Surgical disruption of lymphatic vessels, by using aortic transplantation as well as blocking lymphatic regrowth using VEGFR3-neutralizing antibody, led to a remarkable increase in aortic lipid accumulation. 11 Lymphatic malfunction contributes to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.…”