Figure 2.

Lacteals in adult small intestinal villi are constantly remodelling. The gut microbiota interacts with intestinal villi and, despite the pivotal role played in absorption and transport of dietary lipids, the intestinal lymphatics are critically involved in the immune surveillance. The VEGFC pathways via VEGFR3 promote lacteals Notch signalling through DLL4 expression. Continuous Notch expression is required to promote lymphatic endothelial cells’ survival and sprouting, thus assuring lacteals stabilisation, optimal length maintenance and guaranteeing proper functionality.