# Multi-scale Spatial Mapping of Human Lymphatic Vessels

> **NIH NIH U54** · BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER · 2022 · $1,250,000

## Abstract

Abstract:
Lymphatic disease affects over 10 million patients in the United States and are grossly
understudied. Lymphedema, the most commonly occurring lymphatic disease, is considered one on of the
most significant cancer survivorship issues in the United States. Of significant note, our primary understanding
and mapping of the lymphatic system come from animal models. A comprehensive anatomic reference from
the human lymphatic system does not currently exist. We propose the development of a lymphatic tissue
mapping center (TMC) as a part of the NIH Human Biomolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP). Specifically,
through a consortium of institutions including the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, University of
Southern California, University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Indiana University, we will acquire
both lymphatic collectors and lymphatic capillaries in healthy individuals across the entire health spectrum and
register each of these samples to the associated angiosome thereby allowing coordination with
HuBMAP. These samples will undergo spatial transcriptome analysis. Moreover, we will perform 3D
radiologic imaging of lymphatic collectors throughout the body. The spatial transcriptome analysis and 3D
imaging data will be processed and transferred to the HuBMAP Integration, Visualization, and Engagement
(HIVE) Collaborative. The lymphatic tissue mapping center, alongside HuBMAP, will provide fine detail
anatomic precision of the lymphatic system better informing future surgical interventions. The spatial
transcriptome analysis will provide potential targets for future pharmacologic therapeutics.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10530893
- **Project number:** 1U54HL165440-01
- **Recipient organization:** BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Young-Kwon Hong
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $1,250,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-01 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10530893

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10530893, Multi-scale Spatial Mapping of Human Lymphatic Vessels (1U54HL165440-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10530893. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*