Macrophages Regulate Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction-Induced Renal Lymphangiogenesis through C-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 2–Dependent Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase-AKT–Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Signaling and Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α/Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C Expression

Lymphangiogenesis occurs during renal fibrosis in patients with chronic kidney diseases and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C is required for the formation of lymphatic vessels; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We demonstrate that macrophages can regulate unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal lymphangiogenesis by expressing high levels of VEGF-C by C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2)-mediated …