Collecting lymphatics unzip to drain injured lungs

Abstract

Protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) allows platelets and blood endothelial cells to respond to coagulation. Research in mouse models has uncovered a new role for PAR1 — enabling pulmonary collecting lymphatics to transform their intercellular junctions from ‘zippers’ into ‘buttons’ for additional interstitial fluid drainage during acute lung injury.