Cardiac Immune cell TargEting of LYMPHatics – CITE-LYMPH

Cardiac inflammation, a common trait in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), contributes to the development of heart failure (HF). We recently demonstrated the potential of cardiac lymphatics as a novel therapeutic target to reduce cardiac inflammation. In this project, we will characterize the interconnection between immune cells and cardiac lymphatics, focusing on molecular changes in inflamed lymphatics that may cause poor resolution of the immune response in ischemic vs non-ischemic CVDs, notably alterations in chemokine expression. Further, we will investigate the role of endogenous lymphangiogenesis inhibitors. Finally, we will determine whether prevention of lymphatic rarefaction and dysfunction, by optimized lymphangiogenic therapy, may restore lymphatic function, limit cardiac inflammation and improve cardiac recovery of the injured heart CVDs. We anticipate that investigations of the immune cell-lymphatic cross-talk in orchestration of cardiac repair will reveal new molecular targets for better prevention and treatment of cardiac inflammation and HF.