Lymphatic vessels have important roles in fluid homeostasis, fat absorption, inflammation and cancer metastasis and develop in a dynamic process (called lymphangiogenesis) involving budding, migration and proliferation of lymphangioblasts. Using a genetic screen in zebrafish we identify ccbe1 (collagen and calcium-binding EGF domain-1) as indispensible for embryonic lymphangiogenesis. Ccbe1 acts at the same stage of development as Vegfc and is required for lymphangioblast budding and angiogenic sprouting from venous endothelium.

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doi.org/10.1038/ng.321, hdl.handle.net/1765/16241
Nature Genetics
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Hogan, B., Bos, F., Bussmann, J., Witte, M., Chi, N., Duckers, H., & Schulte-Merker, S. (2009). Ccbe1 is required for embryonic lymphangiogenesis and venous sprouting. Nature Genetics, 41(4), 396–398. doi:10.1038/ng.321