The lymphatic system is essential for the maintenance of tissue fluid homeostasis, gastrointestinal lipid absorption, and immune trafficking. Whereas lymphatic regeneration occurs physiologically in wound healing and tissue repair, pathological lymphangiogenesis has been implicated in a number of chronic diseases such as lymphedema, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Insight into the regulatory mechanisms of lymphangiogenesis and the manner in which uncontrolled inflammation promotes lymphatic dysfunction is urgently needed to guide the development of novel therapeutics: These would be designed to reverse lymphatic dysfunction, either primary or acquired. Recent investigation has demonstrated the mechanistic role of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in the molecular pathogenesis of lymphedema. LTB4, a product of the innate immune response, is a constituent of the eicosanoid inflammatory mediator family of molecules that promote both physiological and pathological inflammation. Here we provide an overview of lymphatic development, the pathophysiology of lymphedema, and the role of leukotrienes in lymphedema pathogenesis.

中文翻译：

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淋巴功能障碍，白三烯和淋巴水肿。

淋巴系统对于维持组织液稳态，胃肠道脂质吸收和免疫运输至关重要。淋巴再生发生在伤口愈合和组织修复的生理过程中，而病理性淋巴管生成已牵涉到许多慢性疾病中，例如淋巴水肿，动脉粥样硬化和癌症。迫切需要深入了解淋巴管生成的调节机制以及不受控制的炎症促进淋巴功能障碍的方式，以指导新型疗法的开发：这些药物可逆转原发性或后天性淋巴功能障碍。最近的研究表明白三烯B4（LTB4）在淋巴水肿的分子发病机理中的机制作用。LTB4是先天免疫反应的产物，是类花生酸类炎症介质家族的一个组成部分，可同时促进生理性和病理性炎症。在这里，我们提供了淋巴发育，淋巴水肿的病理生理学以及白三烯在淋巴水肿发病机理中的作用的概述。