Lymphatic vessels have crucial roles in the regulation of interstitial fluids, immune surveillance, and the absorption of dietary fat in the intestine. Lymphatic function is also closely related to the pathogenesis of various disease states such as inflammation, lymphedema, endometriosis, liver dysfunction, and tumor metastasis. Lymphangiogenesis, the formation of new lymphatic vessels from pre-existing lymphatic vessels, is a critical determinant in the above conditions. Although the effect of growth factors on lymphangiogenesis is well-characterized, and biologically active lipids are known to affect smooth muscle contractility and vasoaction, there is accumulating evidence that biologically active lipids are also important inducers of growth factors and cytokines that regulate lymphangiogenesis. This review discusses recent advances in our understanding of biologically active lipids, including arachidonic acid metabolites, sphingosine 1-phosphate, and lysophosphatidic acid, as regulators of lymphangiogenesis, and the emerging importance of the lymphangiogenesis as a therapeutic target.

淋巴管在调节间质液、免疫监视和肠道中膳食脂肪的吸收方面发挥着至关重要的作用。淋巴功能还与炎症、淋巴水肿、子宫内膜异位症、肝功能障碍、肿瘤转移等多种疾病状态的发病机制密切相关。淋巴管生成，即从先前存在的淋巴管形成新的淋巴管，是上述情况的关键决定因素。尽管生长因子对淋巴管生成的影响已得到充分表征，并且已知具有生物活性的脂质会影响平滑肌收缩性和血管作用，但越来越多的证据表明，具有生物活性的脂质也是调节淋巴管生成的生长因子和细胞因子的重要诱导物。