Lymphatic endothelial mTORC1 instructs metabolic and developmental signaling during lymphangiogenesis

The lymphatic vasculature comprises lymphatic capillaries and collecting vessels. To support lymphatic development, lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) utilize nutrients to fuel lymphangiogenic processes. Meanwhile, LECs maintain constant prospero homeobox 1 (PROX1) expression critical for lymphatic specification. However, molecular mechanisms orchestrating nutrient metabolism while sustaining PROX1 levels in LECs remain unclear. Here, we show that loss of RAPTOR, an indispensable mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) component, downregulates PROX1 and impairs lymphatic capillary growth and differentiation of collecting lymphatics in mice. Mechanistically, mTORC1 inhibition in mouse and human LECs causes Myc reduction, which decreases hexokinase 2 (HK2) and glutaminase (GLS), inhibiting glycolysis and glutaminolysis. Myc or HK2/GLS ablation impedes lymphatic capillary and collecting vessel formation. Interestingly, mTORC1 regulation of PROX1 is independent of Myc-HK2/GLS signaling. Moreover, genetic interaction analysis indicates that Myc and PROX1 play crucial roles in mTORC1-regulated lymphatic development. Collectively, our findings identify mTORC1 as a key regulator of metabolic programs and PROX1 expression during lymphangiogenesis.