Whereas targeting the cyst epithelium and its molecular machinery has been the prevailing clinical strategy for polycystic kidney disease, the endothelium, including blood vasculature and lymphatics, is emerging as an important player in this disorder. In this Review, we provide an overview of the structural and functional alterations to blood vasculature and lymphatic vessels in the polycystic kidney. We also discuss evidence for vascular endothelial growth factor signalling, otherwise critical for endothelial cell development and maintenance, as being a fundamental molecular pathway in polycystic kidney disease and a potential therapeutic target for modulating cyst expansion.

中文翻译：

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多囊肾病中的内皮-上皮通讯：血管内皮生长因子信号传导的作用。

虽然靶向囊肿上皮及其分子机制一直是多囊肾病的主要临床策略，但内皮，包括血管系统和淋巴管，正在成为这种疾病的重要参与者。在这篇综述中，我们概述了多囊肾中血管和淋巴管的结构和功能改变。我们还讨论了血管内皮生长因子信号传导的证据，否则对内皮细胞发育和维持至关重要，因为它是多囊肾病的基本分子途径和调节囊肿扩张的潜在治疗靶点。