Developmental Disorders of the Lymphatics

An information blog for disorders of the lymphatics. For all articles, please click on "Archives" - Due to spammers, I will no longer allow comments, sorry.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Senile changes in human lymph nodes.

Senile changes in human lymph nodes.

Lymphat Res Biol. 2008
Pan WR, Suami H, Taylor GI.
The Jack Brockhoff Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Research Unit, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Melbourne, Australia.


Abstract Background:

The degenerative process of lymph nodes is poorly documented.

Methods:

161 lymph nodes of seven fresh and one embalmed human cadavers in the head and neck were studied. We used 6% hydrogen peroxide, lead oxide injectant, and radiographs to demonstrate lymphatic vessels, and found both solidified and transparent lymph nodes. They were removed, fixed in 10% formalin and sent for histopathology cross section.

Results:

Thirty-eight solidified and 123 transparent lymph nodes were found. A series of histopathological sections show the degenerative process is variable and continuous. Senile involution affects all elements of the lymph node including the cortex, the medulla, and the architecture.

Conclusion:

This study provides actual anatomical and histopathological images of lymph nodes in different degenerative stages in the head and neck region. It may help explain some clinical conditions in the elderly, especially their diminished immunological response to infection and cancer metastasis.

Mary Ann Liebert

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Observations on the prenatal development of human lymphatic vessels with focus on basic structural elements of lymph flow.

Observations on the prenatal development of human lymphatic vessels with focus on basic structural elements of lymph flow.

Lymphat Res Biol. 2008

Petrenko VM, Gashev AA.
Department of Human Anatomy, St. Petersburg State Medical Academy, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Abstract Background:

The prenatal development of human lymphatic systems has not attracted enough attention by lymphatic researchers in the past. Yet clearly these critical, early events determine the fate and function of the human lymphatic system.

Methods and Results:

The main focus of these studies was to investigate the embryonic development of human lymphangions including lymphatic valves and muscle cells, to better understand the prenatal formation of basic structural elements of lymph flow. This review in most of its parts is a short summary of the findings. It provides important information necessary for understanding the development and functioning of the human lymphatic system.

Conclusions:

The structural basis of the active lymph transport system-the lymphatic muscle cells and lymphatic valves-which is absolutely necessary for all functions of lymphatic system, is already formed during the first half of the prenatal development in humans. During the second half of this development maturation of this system is already underway. The enlargement of lymphatic muscle cells together with increases in their quantity leads to formation of the multi-layered lymphatic vessel wall, able to develop contractions strong enough to propel lymph downstream of the lymphatic channels against gravity in bipedal humans. The development of the competent valves in lymphatic vessels occurs at the same time creating the ground for effective net, unidirectional lymph flow. The data summarized here represents some of the first systematic studies of the prenatal development of lymphatic muscle cells and valves in humans.

Mary Ann Liebert

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Friday, June 27, 2008

Neostatin-7 regulates bFGF-induced corneal lymphangiogenesis.

Neostatin-7 regulates bFGF-induced corneal lymphangiogenesis.
FEBS Lett. 2008 Jun 18

Kojima T, Azar DT, Chang JH.
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1855 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.

Neostatin-7, with an anti-angiogenic potential, is generated from the proteolytic action of matrix metalloproteinase-7 on collagen XVIII. We previously reported that neostatin-7 inhibited angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Here we demonstrate that neostatin-7/collagen XVIII may possess anti-lymphangiogenic activities by: (1) corneal micropellet implantation of neostatin-7 reduced bFGF-induced corneal lymphangiogenesis; (2) neostatin-7 bound to VEGF receptor-3 in vitro; and (3) enhanced corneal lymphangiogenesis and VEGF-C expression in collagen XVIII knockout mice in a corneal wounding model. Understanding the mechanism of neostatin-7/collagen XVIII on corneal lymphangiogenesis may provide therapeutic interventions to treat lymphangiogenesis-related disorders, such as lymphedema, transplantation rejection and cancers.

Elsevier ScienceDirect

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Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Lymphatic involvement in lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

Lymphatic involvement in lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2008 May
Glasgow CG, Taveira-Dasilva AM, Darling TN, Moss J.
PhD., Translational Medicine Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bldg. 10, Rm. 6D03 MSC 1590, Bethesda, MD 20892-1590.
mossj@nhlbi.nih.gov.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare, multisystem disease affecting primarily premenopausal women. The disease is characterized by cystic lung disease, at times leading to respiratory compromise, abdominal tumors (in particular, renal angiomyolipomas), and involvement of the axial lymphatics (e.g., adenopathy, lymphangioleiomyomas).

Disease results from the proliferation of neoplastic cells (LAM cells), which, in many cases, have a smooth muscle cell phenotype, express melanoma antigens, and have mutations in one of the tuberous sclerosis complex genes (TSC1 or TSC2). In the lung, LAM cells found in the vicinity of cysts are, at times, localized in nodules and may be responsible for cyst formation through the production of proteases.

Lymphatic channels, expressing characteristic lymphatic endothelial cell markers, are found within the LAM lung nodules. LAM cells may also be localized within the walls of the axial lymphatics, and, in some cases, penetrate the wall and proliferate in the surrounding adipose tissue. Consistent with extensive lymphatic involvement in LAM, the serum concentration of VEGF-D, a lymphangiogenic factor, is higher in LAM patients than in healthy volunteers.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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