Tumor Lymphangiogenesis as a Potential Therapeutic Target

Figure 3

Potential cellular origins of tumor lymphatic endothelial cells. (A) Neolymphatics mainly arise from preexisting vasculature by proliferation and migration of LECs. (B) Bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (e.g., tumor-associated macrophages—TAMs) can also transdifferentiate into LECs, which further incorporate into the pre-existing lymphatic vasculature. (C) BECs can transdifferentiate into LECs under stimulation of reexpressed lymphatic transcription factors and lymphatic growth factor receptors. This mechanism has not been shown in in vivo (dashed line arrow).