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. 2021 Jun 7;12:3350. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-23808-3

Fig. 9. CD36 deletion in lymphatic endothelial cells associates with obesity and glucose intolerance.

Fig. 9

CD36 expression in lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) follows an increasing gradient from gut mucosa to submucosa to collecting mesentery vessels. CD36 deletion in LECs in adult mice (Cd36ΔLEC) increases discontinuity of VE-cadherin junctions and associates with lymph leakage in the mesentery. Inflammation of visceral fat, age-associated obesity and glucose intolerance are observed in 20-week-old Cd36ΔLEC mice. The mechanism likely involves reduced signaling of VEGF-C in LECs, which leads to disorganization of LEC junctions and impairs cell migration and tube formation. Image created using BioRender.com.