Biology

Bone disease triggers lymphatic vessel invasion never seen in healthy tissue

How the science connects

OsteoporosisLymphatic systemBone remodeling

AI Insight

This study presents evidence that lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) are not present inside healthy bone tissue during normal conditions or during bone regeneration after injury. The research contradicts findings from a previous 2023 Cell publication by Biswas et al., and demonstrates that LECs only invade bone tissue under pathological conditions, specifically in disease models of Gaucher-like disease (GLA) and glycogen storage disease (GSD).


Understanding the true distribution of lymphatic vessels in bone has important implications for bone biology research and the development of treatments for bone diseases. This correction of the scientific record ensures that future therapeutic strategies targeting bone disorders are based on accurate anatomical knowledge of when and where lymphatic vessels are present.


Understand the Science

Lymphatic system 4 articles Explore Concept → Osteoporosis Concept coming soon Bone remodeling Concept coming soon

Multiple lines of evidence argue against the presence of LECs inside bone during homeostasis or repair after injury, in contrast to a previous study published in Cell (Biswas et al. 2023). Instead, LECs actively invade bone in disease models of GLA/GSD.

Source: Lymphatic vessels invade bone in disease but are absent in health and regeneration