Immune Netw.  2017 Feb;17(1):68-76. 10.4110/in.2017.17.1.68.

Emerging Roles of Lymphatic Vasculature in Immunity

• Kim KW
• Song JH

• KMID: 2368978
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4110/in.2017.17.1.68

Abstract

The lymphatic vasculature has been regarded as a passive conduit for interstitial fluid and responsible for the absorption of macromolecules such as proteins or lipids and transport of nutrients from food. However, emerging data show that the lymphatic vasculature system plays an important role in immune modulation. One of its major roles is to coordinate antigen transport and immune-cell trafficking from peripheral tissues to secondary lymphoid organs, lymph nodes. This perspective was recently updated with the notion that the interaction between lymphatic endothelial cells and leukocytes controls the immune-cell migration and immune responses by regulating lymphatic flow and various secreted molecules such as chemokines and cytokines. In this review, we introduce the lymphatic vasculature networks and genetic transgenic models for research on the lymphatic vasculature system. Next, we discuss the contribution of lymphatic endothelial cells to the control of immune-cell trafficking and to maintenance of peripheral tolerance. Finally, the physiological roles and features of the lymphatic vasculature system are further discussed regarding inflammation-induced lymphangiogenesis in a pathological condition, especially in mucosal tissues such as the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract.

Keyword

Lymph; Vasculature; Endothelium; Migration; Intestinal lacteal

MeSH Terms

Absorption
Chemokines
Cytokines
Endothelial Cells
Endothelium
Extracellular Fluid
Gastrointestinal Tract
Leukocytes
Lymph Nodes
Lymphangiogenesis
Mucous Membrane
Peripheral Tolerance
Respiratory System
Chemokines
Cytokines

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Schematic models of lymphatic flow. (A) Activated DCs can enter the lymphatic capillaries in a CCR7-dependent but integrin-independent manner. Other molecules such as proteins and lipids can be absorbed in lymphatic capillaries. (B) In capillaries, lymphatic endothelial cells drive DCs toward lymphatic collecting vessels by forming chemokine gradients. (C) Once DCs enter the collecting vessels, the interaction of adipose myeloid cells and collecting endothelial cells controls lymphatic flow, which facilitates passive transport of DCs into a lymph node.

• 

  Figure 2 The small-intestine lymphatic system. The small intestine contains two independent lymphatic networks that drain into a common network of collecting lymphatics. The lacteals, draining individual villi, connect with a network of lymphatics within the mucosal layer to form one distinct network (red), while the lymphatics of the mucosal muscle layer form another network (blue). Injection of tracers into these networks reveals free flow within each network but no exchange between networks. Both networks drain into contractile collecting lymphatics (yellow) located at the mesenteric border and outside of the intestine.

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