Figure 1.

Structure and molecular features of lymphatic capillaries and collectors. The blind‐ended lymphatic capillaries are characterized by button‐like intracellular junctions, discontinuous basement membrane, attached by filament bundles, and anchored to the extracellular matrices. Lymphatic capillaries highly expressed lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronic acid receptor‐1 (LYVE‐1), podoplanin and CCL21 to mediate the recruitment of leukocytes. When interstitial pressure increases, the lymph drains from the lymphatic capillaries to precollector and collector lymphatic vessels (LV). Collecting LV have zipper‐like intracellular junctions, continuous basement membrane, smooth muscle cell (SMC) coverage and valves that prevent backflow of the lymph. Collecting LV highly express eNOS, which is related to LV contractility and permeability