Primary lymphedema and other lymphatic anomalies are associated with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.

We report the novel association of primary lymphedema with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Importantly, animal models demonstrated Tbx1 playing a critical role in lymphangiogenesis by reducing Vegfr3 expression in lymphatic endothelial cells. Moreover, the VEGFR3 pathway is essential for lymphangiogenesis with mutations identified in hereditary primary lymphedema. Accordingly, our findings provide a new insight into understanding cellular mechanisms of lymphangiogenesis disorders.