Kaska Koltowska

Project summary

Growth of the lymphatic vascular system

Kaska Koltowska studies the lymphatic vascular system, which plays an important role in the immune system and helps the body maintain its fluid balance. She is particularly interested in understanding how the growth of the lymphatic system is regulated. In the long term, the findings may contribute to the identification of new molecular targets for drug development.

 

The lymphatic vascular system is important for immune function, maintaining the body’s fluid balance and the absorption of fatty acids. Lymphoedema is a serious condition caused by an insufficient number of lymphatic vessels or by dysfunctional lymphatic vessels. The formation of lymphatic vessels in a cancerous tumour can enable cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system. Although factors that drive lymphatic vessel formation have been identified, there is currently no cure for these conditions.

 

During embryonic development, stem cells give rise to lymphatic cells, including the endothelial cells that form the lymphatic vessels. The growth factor Vegfc is known to play a key role in regulating the growth of these endothelial cells, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this regulation remain unclear.

 

This project aims to identify factors that promote the growth of lymphatic endothelial cells. The study will use new advanced techniques to identify factors that regulate the growth of lymphatic cells during embryonic development and in cancer. The formation of new lymphatic vessels will be studied in a genetic zebrafish model, with a particular focus on a component of the Vegfc signalling pathway that acts as a stop signal for lymphatic vessel growth.

 

Overall, the study will identify new key factors regulating lymphatic vessel growth during development and disease. It is expected to identify potential therapeutic targets that can specifically stimulate the growth of lymphatic cells.