Inherent biomechanical traits enable infective filariae to disseminate through collecting lymphatic vessels.

ABSTRACT: Filariases are diseases caused by arthropod-borne filaria nematodes. The related pathologies depend on the location of the infective larvae when their migration, the asymptomatic and least studied phase of the disease, comes to an end. To determine factors assisting in filariae dissemination, we image Litomosoides sigmodontis infective larvae during their escape from the skin. Burrowing through the dermis filariae exclusively enter pre-collecting lymphatics by mechanical disruption of their wall. Once inside collectors, their rapid and unidirectional movement towards the lymph node is supported by the morphology of lymphatic valves. In a microfluidic maze mimicking lymphatic vessels, filariae follow the direction of the flow, the first biomechanical factor capable of helminth guidance with

SUBMITTER: Kilarski WW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6603047 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature