Micro- and Macro-Anatomical Frameworks of Lymph Nodes Indispensable for the Lymphatic System Filtering Function.

ABSTRACT: In the lymphatic vascular system, lymph nodes (LNs) play a pivotal role in filtering and removing lymph-borne substances. The filtering function of LNs involves resident macrophages tightly associated with unique lymphatic sinus structures. Moreover, an intermittently arranged LN in the lymphatic pathway is considered to cooperatively prevent lymph-borne substances from entering blood circulation. However, the functional significance of tissue microarchitecture, cellular composition, and individual LNs in the "LN chain" system is not fully understood. To explore the mechanistic and histo-anatomical significance of LNs as lymph fluid filters, we subcutaneously injected fluorescent tracers into mice and examined the details of lymphatic transport to the LNs qualitatively and quantitatively.

SUBMITTER: Ozawa M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9251010 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature