The Evolutionary Origins of Lymphatic Vasculature and Interstitial Fluid Reabsorption – from Shark to Human

The lymphatic vascular system is a network of blind ended vessels controlling body fluid homeostasis by the reabsorption of interstitial fluid. It is also involved in immune cell trafficking and dietary lipids absorption. Lymphatic defects result in a condition known as lymphedema, for which currently there is no cure.

Despite its importance, information about the evolutionary origin of lymphatics is lacking.

As of today, it is unclear if cartilaginous fishes (the group including sharks and rays, and sister group of bony fish) possess a lymphatic.

In this study, morphological, molecular and developmental approaches will be used to investigate how cartilaginous fishes regulate fluid reabsorption, and if they possess a vasculature homologous to lymphatics.

This work will establish if a lymphatic vasculature is present in cartilaginous fishes, or if it is specific for bony fish.

The project will additionally characterise the expression profiles of different shark vessels, constituting an important resource for further studies in the field.

The project will last for 36 months and will be divided between the Macroevolution and Development lab at the Montpellier Institute of Evolutionary Sciences (2-years) and the Evolution and Development research program at Uppsala University (1-year).

This project will uncover the evolutionary origins of the lymphatic vasculature and potentially identify molecular targets for therapeutic approaches.