This project aims to redefine lymphatic vessels as active regulators of immunity and tissue repair in CL rather than passive conduits. It seeks to determine how Leishmania exploits lymphatic remodeling to evade immune clearance and drive chronic inflammation, and to test whether normalizing lymphatic function can simultaneously enhance protective anti-parasite immunity and reduce pathology. Ultimately, the project aims to establish a proof-of-principle therapeutic strategy that improves CL management while informing treatments for other chronic infections and lymphatic diseases.