Chapters authored
Angiogenesis and Lymphangiogenesis in Peritoneal Dialysis
The ultrafiltration failure during peritoneal dialysis (PD) is related to inflammatory responses induced by bio-incompatible PD fluids, which may lead to deterioration of peritoneal membrane (PM) function. Mesothelial cells, lymphocytes, macrophages and other cell types present in the peritoneal cavity are stimulated to produce cytokines and growth factors that promote pathological processes. Due to these factors, blood and lymphatic vessels proliferate and could be responsible for hyperfiltration and PM failure type III and IV. Vessels proliferation may be related to fibrosis, being the cause and/or effect of the mesenchymal conversion of different cell types such as mesothelial (MMT), bone marrow-derived (fibrocytes) or endothelial (vascular- and lymph-endo-MT) cells. Lymphangiogenesis in PD is a poorly analysed process; however, its contribution to peritoneal function disorders has been recently recognized. VEGF production is associated with blood and lymphatic vessels proliferation, while specifically lymphangiogenesis is mainly regulated by VEGF-C and VEGF-D. Excessive lymphatic fluid drainage from the abdominal cavity may be related with macromolecule and isosmotic solutions reuptake and convective reabsorption of solutes that were cleared from plasma by diffusion. Some drugs have been shown to modulate tissue fibrosis, MMT, EndoMT, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis and could represent interesting therapeutic strategies to protect the PM.
Part of the book: Aspects in Dialysis