The lymphatics are the main transport of lymph (containing fluid, macromolecules, and immunological components such as cells and cytokines) from the parenchymal tissues to the lymph nodes. Inflammation-induced lymphangiogenesis and lymphatic dysfunction occurs in pathologies such as IBD. However, it is not fully understood what drives the lymphatic hyperproliferation and dysfunction, or how local tissue cytokines (known to be significantly altered in IBD patients) associate with IBD GI lymphatic changes.