Zebrafish Models of Induced Lymphangiogenesis: Current Advancements and Therapeutic Discovery

Lymphangiogenesis, the formation of new lymphatic vessels, is essential for embryonic development and the maintenance of tissue fluid balance, as well as for responding to physiological challenges such as injury, inflammation, and oedema. This process is also aberrantly activated in pathological con...

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Main Authors: Srdjan Boskovic, Kazuhide Shaun Okuda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Pharmaceuticals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/7/1076
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author Srdjan Boskovic
Kazuhide Shaun Okuda
author_facet Srdjan Boskovic
Kazuhide Shaun Okuda
author_sort Srdjan Boskovic
collection DOAJ
description Lymphangiogenesis, the formation of new lymphatic vessels, is essential for embryonic development and the maintenance of tissue fluid balance, as well as for responding to physiological challenges such as injury, inflammation, and oedema. This process is also aberrantly activated in pathological conditions including lymphatic anomalies and cancer. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating induced lymphangiogenesis in various conditions is critical for the development of novel anti- or pro-lymphangiogenic therapeutic strategies. In recent years, the zebrafish has emerged as an important model organism for studying both physiological and pathological lymphangiogenesis. Its optical transparency, conserved lymphatic architecture and signalling pathways, and amenability to genetic manipulation and drug screening make it an especially well-suited model. In this review, we highlight zebrafish models used to investigate induced lymphangiogenesis in the context of regeneration, inflammation, fluid imbalance, and congenital lymphatic anomalies. We will also demonstrate how zebrafish are used to discover new drugs targeting lymphatic vessels under various conditions. Finally, we will discuss the current limitations of using zebrafish to model induced lymphangiogenesis and highlight potential future directions. The findings presented in this review underscore the undeniable value the zebrafish model brings to lymphatic research and therapeutic discovery.
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spelling doaj-art-6a4fe674fefc4d129eeb8c68cc8349152025-08-20T03:07:55ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472025-07-01187107610.3390/ph18071076Zebrafish Models of Induced Lymphangiogenesis: Current Advancements and Therapeutic DiscoverySrdjan Boskovic0Kazuhide Shaun Okuda1Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, AustraliaDepartment of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, AustraliaLymphangiogenesis, the formation of new lymphatic vessels, is essential for embryonic development and the maintenance of tissue fluid balance, as well as for responding to physiological challenges such as injury, inflammation, and oedema. This process is also aberrantly activated in pathological conditions including lymphatic anomalies and cancer. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating induced lymphangiogenesis in various conditions is critical for the development of novel anti- or pro-lymphangiogenic therapeutic strategies. In recent years, the zebrafish has emerged as an important model organism for studying both physiological and pathological lymphangiogenesis. Its optical transparency, conserved lymphatic architecture and signalling pathways, and amenability to genetic manipulation and drug screening make it an especially well-suited model. In this review, we highlight zebrafish models used to investigate induced lymphangiogenesis in the context of regeneration, inflammation, fluid imbalance, and congenital lymphatic anomalies. We will also demonstrate how zebrafish are used to discover new drugs targeting lymphatic vessels under various conditions. Finally, we will discuss the current limitations of using zebrafish to model induced lymphangiogenesis and highlight potential future directions. The findings presented in this review underscore the undeniable value the zebrafish model brings to lymphatic research and therapeutic discovery.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/7/1076zebrafishlymphaticlymphatic diseaseregenerationdrug discovery
spellingShingle Srdjan Boskovic
Kazuhide Shaun Okuda
Zebrafish Models of Induced Lymphangiogenesis: Current Advancements and Therapeutic Discovery
Pharmaceuticals
zebrafish
lymphatic
lymphatic disease
regeneration
drug discovery
title Zebrafish Models of Induced Lymphangiogenesis: Current Advancements and Therapeutic Discovery
title_full Zebrafish Models of Induced Lymphangiogenesis: Current Advancements and Therapeutic Discovery
title_fullStr Zebrafish Models of Induced Lymphangiogenesis: Current Advancements and Therapeutic Discovery
title_full_unstemmed Zebrafish Models of Induced Lymphangiogenesis: Current Advancements and Therapeutic Discovery
title_short Zebrafish Models of Induced Lymphangiogenesis: Current Advancements and Therapeutic Discovery
title_sort zebrafish models of induced lymphangiogenesis current advancements and therapeutic discovery
topic zebrafish
lymphatic
lymphatic disease
regeneration
drug discovery
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/7/1076
work_keys_str_mv AT srdjanboskovic zebrafishmodelsofinducedlymphangiogenesiscurrentadvancementsandtherapeuticdiscovery
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