Table 3 A summary of therapeutic targets that could benefit from lymphatic tissue engineering

Cardiac Repair

Induce lymphangiogenesis to create a pathway for inflammatory cell efflux and promote wound healing

-Rescue lymphatic transport ability

-Mobilize macrophages

-Reduce inflammation and edema

[54, 48, 253–255]

Deliver VEGF-C to promote lymphangiogenesis

-Smaller ventricular end-systolic volume and improved ejection fraction

-Accelerated cardiac lymphangiogenesis and limited collecting vessel remodeling

-Decreased cardiac inflammation, fibrosis, and dysfunction

[29, 48]

Inject HA-based hydrogels into peri-infarct region

-Ejection fraction improved to almost pre-MI baseline levels

-Decreased scarring and decreased collagen deposition

[202]

Neurological Conditions

Deliver VEGF-C to rescue impaired meningeal LVs and improve waste drainage from CNS

-Improved drainage of macromolecules

-Improved brain perfusion

-Improved learning and memory

[256]

Rescue meningeal LVs to decrease amyloid-β deposition in the meninges

-Potential to slow onset of Alzheimer's and other age-related cognitive declines

[268]

Improved Skin Grafts

Incorporate LVs into skin grafts to treat full-thickness skin defects

-Improved perfusion of oxygen and nutrients in dermal component

-Rapid integration, proliferation, and differentiation of skin graft

[261]

Improved Wound Healing

Implant hydrogel scaffolds embedded with LECs

-Accelerated healing rate

-Enhanced lymphatic ingrowth

-Potential to treat diabetic wounds

[260, 5]

Diabetes

Inhibit lymphatic-specific epsin expression

-Prevent degradation of VEGFR3 and negate diabetes-triggered downregulation of lymphangiogenesis

[266]