Journal of Vascular Medicine & Surgery

Abstract

Lymphangiogenesis and its Role in Physiologic Wound Healing and the Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Fibrosis

Sarah MH and Abigail L

Wound healing and repair is a physiologic process that occurs following tissue injury often resulting in a controlled scar formation. However, in certain disease states, the intrinsic mechanisms that signal the completion of repair are defunct leading to continued repair, resulting in excessive fibrosis. Numerous segments of the wound healing process are known to be deregulated in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) including increased myofibroblast activation, excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, and decreased injury resolution. In this review we will focus on one part of the wound healing process, lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic remodeling, and its potential role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis.