The lymphatic system plays crucial roles in regulating fluid homeostasis, immune surveillance, and lipid transport. As is in most of the body's organs, the heart possesses an extensive lymphatic network. Moreover, a robust lymphangiogenic response has been shown to take place following myocardial infarction, highlighting cardiac lymphatics as potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Yet, the unique molecular properties and functions of the heart's lymphatic system have only recently begun to be addressed. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms underlying the formation and growth of cardiac lymphatics during embryonic development and describe their characteristics across species. We further summarize recent findings highlighting diverse cellular origins for cardiac lymphatic endothelial cells and how they integrate to form a single functional lymphatic network. Finally, we outline novel therapeutic avenues aimed at enhancing lymphatic vessel formation and integrity following cardiac injury, which hold great promise for promoting healing of the infarcted heart.

中文翻译：

---

胚胎发育、心脏再生和疾病过程中心脏淋巴管的形成和生长。

淋巴系统在调节体液稳态、免疫监视和脂质转运方面起着至关重要的作用。与身体的大多数器官一样，心脏拥有广泛的淋巴网络。此外，已显示心肌梗死后会发生强烈的淋巴管生成反应，突出了心脏淋巴管作为治疗干预的潜在目标。然而，心脏淋巴系统的独特分子特性和功能直到最近才开始得到解决。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了胚胎发育过程中心脏淋巴管形成和生长的机制，并描述了它们在物种间的特征。我们进一步总结了最近的发现，强调了心脏淋巴内皮细胞的不同细胞起源以及它们如何整合形成一个单一的功能性淋巴网络。最后，我们概述了旨在增强心脏损伤后淋巴管形成和完整性的新治疗途径，这对于促进梗塞心脏的愈合具有很大的前景。