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Abstract Immense progress in microscale engineering technologies has significantly expanded the capabilities of in vitro cell culture systems for reconstituting physiological microenvironments that are mediated by biomolecular gradients, fluid transport, and mechanical forces. Here, we examine the innovative approaches based on microfabricated vessels for studying lymphatic biology. To help understand the necessary design requirements for microfluidic models, we first summarize lymphatic vessel structure and function. Next, we provide an overview of the molecular and biomechanical mediators of lymphatic vessel function. Then we discuss the past achievements and new opportunities for microfluidic culture models to a broad range of applications pertaining to lymphatic vessel physiology. We emphasize the unique attributes of microfluidic systems that enable the recapitulation of multiple physicochemical cues in vitro for studying lymphatic pathophysiology. Current challenges and future outlooks of microscale technology for studying lymphatics are also discussed. Collectively, we make the assertion that further progress in the development of microscale models will continue to enrich our mechanistic understanding of lymphatic biology and physiology to help realize the promise of the lymphatic vasculature as a therapeutic target for a broad spectrum of diseases.
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Regulating Lymphatic Vasculature in Fibrosis: Understanding the Biology to Improve the Modeling
Abstract Fibrosis occurs in many chronic diseases with lymphatic vascular insufficiency (e.g., kidney disease, tumors, and lymphedema). New lymphatic capillary growth can be triggered by fibrosis‐related tissue stiffening and soluble factors, but questions remain for how related biomechanical, biophysical, and biochemical cues affect lymphatic vascular growth and function. The current preclinical standard for studying lymphatics is animal modeling, but in vitro and in vivo outcomes often do not align. In vitro models can also be limited in their ability to separate vascular growth and function as individual outcomes, and fibrosis is not traditionally included in model design. Tissue engineering provides an opportunity to address in vitro limitations and mimic microenvironmental features that impact lymphatic vasculature. This review discusses fibrosis‐related lymphatic vascular growth and function in disease and the current state of in vitro lymphatic vascular models while highlighting relevant knowledge gaps. Additional insights into the future of in vitro lymphatic vascular models demonstrate how prioritizing fibrosis alongside lymphatics will help capture the complexity and dynamics of lymphatics in disease. Overall, this review aims to emphasize that an advanced understanding of lymphatics within a fibrotic disease—enabled through more accurate preclinical modeling—will significantly impact therapeutic development toward restoring lymphatic vessel growth and function in patients.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2138841
- PAR ID:
- 10397509
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Advanced Biology
- Volume:
- 7
- Issue:
- 5
- ISSN:
- 2701-0198
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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