The lymphatic vasculature is a vital component of the circulatory system. It mediates the drainage of interstitial fluid to maintain fluid homeostasis, transport macromolecules, and regulate immune cell trafficking, allowing for immune surveillance and response. Lymphatic vessels are composed of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) that differentiate from the endothelium of the cardinal vein during embryo development and commit to this lineage through vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) signaling. Lymphatic capillaries are formed by a single layer of LECs, have discontinuous basement membranes, and lack smooth muscle cells. These initial capillaries, made highly permeable by the discontinuous button-like junctions between the LECs, begin blind-ended and drain into collecting lymphatic vessels that are larger in caliber, surrounded by smooth muscle cells, and impermeable; they have continuous tight junctions and intraluminal integrin-expressing valves for unidirectional flow, in contrast to the capillaries (Aspelund et al. 2015).