Tissue-specific VEGF-D overexpression induces lymphangiogenesis and heterotopic bone resorption

Despite advances in research, no effective treatments are available to promote the resorption of heterotopic bone in patients suffering from HO. Lymphatic vessels are associated with the destruction of bone in rare diseases such as Gorham-Stout disease.

However, the effect of lymphatic vessels on HO was previously unknown. Here, we use transgenic mice to determine whether targeted expression of the lymphatic growth factor VEGF-D can promote the therapeutic resorption of bone in a mouse model of HO. We show that control mice lack lymphatic vessels in heterotopic bone.