Human Dermal Lymphatic Endothelial Cells

The lymphatic system is an essential part of the immune system. It serves distinct yet complementary functions with the blood vascular system in maintaining tissue homeostasis; such as interstitial protein transport, tissue fluid balance, pressure equilibrium, and development of cellular immunity. Although lymphatic capillary endothelial cells have many properties in common with the endothelium of blood vessels, they possess distinct structural characteristics reflecting specific functions. Lymphatic capillaries firmly integrate within the interstitium, which connects to the extracellular matrix by fine strands of elastic fibers. These capillaries have absent or poor basement membranes and lack surrounding mural cells. Lymphatic endothelium typically contains numerous invaginations and cytoplasmic vesicles, as well as, characteristic overlapping intercellular junctions. Human Dermal Lymphatic Endothelial Cells are important modifiers of tumor microenvironment playing roles in metastasis.