Matrix Stiffness Primes Lymphatic Tube Formation Directed by Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C

Using synthetic hyaluronic acid hydrogels as a chemically and mechanically tunable system to preserve lymphatic endothelial cell phenotypes, scientists demonstrated that low matrix elasticity primed lymphatic cord‐like structure formation directed by a high concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor‐C (VEGF‐C).