Fig. 1: Growth of the lymphatic network from P1 to P21.
From: Cardiac lymphatics retain LYVE-1-dependent macrophages during neonatal mouse heart regeneration
Whole-mount antibody staining for VEGFR3 confirmed that cardiac lymphatics grow and sprout extensively during postnatal development. Although little growth or sprouting was observed in the first week of postnatal life (a,b), by P14 a dense network of lymphatic vessels had formed covering the entire dorsal side of the heart (c). This network continued growing in proportion to overall heart expansion (d). Quantification of cardiac lymphatics on the dorsal side confirmed that there is a significant increase in total vessel length and total number of endpoints during the second week of life (e,f). Data are presented as mean ± s.e.m.; n = 5 for each timepoint. Scale bar, 500 μm.
