Neuropilin 2 is a receptor for class III semaphorins and for certain members of the vascular endothelial growth factor family. Targeted inactivation of the neuropilin 2 gene (Nrp2) has previously shown its role in neural development. We report that neuropilin 2 expression in the vascular system is restricted to veins and lymphatic vessels. Homozygous Nrp2 mutants show absence or severe reduction of small lymphatic vessels and capillaries during development. This correlated with a reduction of DNA synthesis in the lymphatic endothelial cells of the mutants. Arteries, veins and larger, collecting lymphatic vessels developed normally, suggesting that neuropilin 2 is selectively required for the formation of small lymphatic vessels and capillaries.
Abnormal lymphatic vessel development in neuropilin 2 mutant mice Available to Purchase
Li Yuan, Delphine Moyon, Luc Pardanaud, Christiane Bréant, Marika J. Karkkainen, Kari Alitalo, Anne Eichmann; Abnormal lymphatic vessel development in neuropilin 2 mutant mice. Development 15 October 2002; 129 (20): 4797–4806. doi: https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.129.20.4797
Download citation file:
Sign in
Client Account
Sign in via your institution
Sign in via ShibbolethAdvertisement
Cited by
The Company of Biologists Workshops

For the last 15 years, our publisher, The Company of Biologists, has provided an apt environment to inspire biology and support biologists through our Workshops series. Read about the evolution of the Workshop series and revisit JEB's experience with hosting the first Global South Workshop.
Call for papers – Lifelong Development: the Maintenance, Regeneration and Plasticity of Tissues

Development invites you to submit your latest research to our upcoming special issue – Lifelong Development: the Maintenance, Regeneration and Plasticity of Tissues. This issue will be coordinated by Guest Editors Meritxell Huch (Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Germany) and Mansi Srivastava (Harvard University and Museum of Comparative Zoology, USA), working alongside our team of academic Editors. Submit your articles by 30 May 2025.
Meet our 2025 Pathway to Independence (PI) fellows

We are delighted to announce our third cohort of PI fellows - researchers whom we will be supporting as they transition from postdoc to Principal Investigator. Read about the eight talented fellows chosen, whom we're excited to be working with as they navigate the job market.
In preprints
Did you know that Development publishes perspectives on recent preprints? These articles help our readers navigate the ever-growing preprint literature. Together with our preprint highlights service, preLights, these perspectives help our readers navigate the ever-growing preprint literature. We welcome proposals for ‘In preprints’ articles, so please do get in touch if you’d like to contribute.
the Node: Have your say

Our community site, the Node, is conducting a user survey about the content and the design of the site. Help us shape the Node's future and thank you for being a part of the Node over the last 15 years.