| SSc | systemic sclerosis |
| LMVECs | lymphatic microvascular endothelial cells |
| VEGF-C | vascular endothelial growth factor-C |
| VEGFR-3 | vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 |
| NRP-2 | neuropilin-2 |
| dcSSc | diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis |
| FBS | fetal bovine serum |
| PBS | phosphate-buffered saline |
| SEMA3s | class 3 semaphorins |
| SD | standard deviation |
| SEM | standard error of the mean |