VEGF-C overexpression in kidney progenitor cells is a model of renal lymphangiectasia.

Kidney lymphangiogenesis was robustly induced in the mice. There were no changes in peritubular blood capillary density despite these endothelial cells also expressing VEGFR-3. The model resulted in a severe cystic kidney phenotype that resembled a human condition termed renal lymphangiectasia. This study defines the vascular consequences of augmenting VEGF-C signaling during kidney development and provides new insight into a mimicker of human cystic kidney disease.