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Pujari A, Smith AF, Hall JD, Mei P, Chau K, Nguyen DT, Sweet DT, Jiménez JM. Lymphatic Valves Separate Lymph Flow Into a Central Stream and a Slow-Moving Peri-Valvular Milieu. J Biomech Eng 2020; 142:1086081. [PMID: 32766737 DOI: 10.1115/1.4048028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The lymphatic system plays a pivotal role in the transport of fats, waste, and immune cells, while also serving as a metastatic route for select cancers. Using live imaging and particle tracking, we experimentally characterized the lymph flow field distal from the inguinal lymph node in the vicinity of normal bileaflet and malformed unileaflet intraluminal valves. Particle tracking experiments demonstrated that intraluminal lymphatic valves concentrate higher velocity lymph flow in the center of the vessel, while generating adjacent perivalvular recirculation zones. The recirculation zones are characterized by extended particle residence times and low wall shear stress (WSS) magnitudes in comparison to the rest of the lymphangion. A malformed unileaflet valve skewed lymph flow toward the endothelium on the vessel wall, generating a stagnation point and a much larger recirculation zone on the opposite wall. These studies define physical consequences of bileaflet and unileaflet intraluminal lymphatic valves that affect lymph transport and the generation of a heterogeneous flow field that affects the lymphatic endothelium nonuniformly. The characterized flow fields were recreated in vitro connecting different flow environments present in the lymphangion to a lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) pro-inflammatory phenotype. Unique and detailed insight into lymphatic flow is provided, with potential applications to a variety of diseases that affect lymph transport and drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshay Pujari
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - Alexander F Smith
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - Joshua D Hall
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - Patrick Mei
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - Kin Chau
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - Duy T Nguyen
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
| | - Daniel T Sweet
- Department of Medicine and Division of Cardiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Juan M Jiménez
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts, N575 Life Sciences Laboratory, 240 Thatcher Way Amherst Amherst, MA 01003; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003
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Margaris KN, Nepiyushchikh Z, Zawieja DC, Moore J, Black RA. Microparticle image velocimetry approach to flow measurements in isolated contracting lymphatic vessels. J Biomed Opt 2016; 21:25002. [PMID: 26830061 PMCID: PMC8357335 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.21.2.025002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 12/24/2015] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
We describe the development of an optical flow visualization method for resolving the flow velocity vector field in lymphatic vessels in vitro. The aim is to develop an experimental protocol for accurately estimating flow parameters, such as flow rate and shear stresses, with high spatial and temporal resolution. Previous studies in situ have relied on lymphocytes as tracers, but their low density resulted in a reduced spatial resolution whereas the assumption that the flow was fully developed in order to determine the flow parameters of interest may not be valid, especially in the vicinity of the valves, where the flow is undoubtedly more complex. To overcome these issues, we have applied the time-resolved microparticle image velocimetry (μ -PIV) technique, a well-established method that can provide increased spatial and temporal resolution that this transient flow demands. To that end, we have developed a custom light source, utilizing high-power light-emitting diodes, and associated control and image processing software. This paper reports the performance of the system and the results of a series of preliminary experiments performed on vessels isolated from rat mesenteries, demonstrating, for the first time, the successful application of the μ -PIV technique in these vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos N. Margaris
- University of Strathclyde, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 106 Rottenrow, Glasgow G4 0NW, United Kingdom
- Address all correspondence to: Konstantinos N. Margaris, E-mail:
| | - Zhanna Nepiyushchikh
- Georgia Institute of Technology, The George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0405, United States
| | - David C. Zawieja
- Texas A&M University, Department of Systems Biology and Translational Medicine, Health Science Center, Temple, Texas 77843-111, United States
| | - James Moore
- Imperial College London, Department of Bioengineering, Royal School of Mines, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Richard A. Black
- University of Strathclyde, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 106 Rottenrow, Glasgow G4 0NW, United Kingdom
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Quick CM, Criscione JC, Kotiya A, Dongaonkar RM, Hardy J, Wilson E, Gashev AA, Laine GA, Stewart RH. Functional adaptation of bovine mesenteric lymphatic vessels to mesenteric venous hypertension. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2014; 306:R901-7. [PMID: 24671245 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00185.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Lymph flow is the primary mechanism for returning interstitial fluid to the blood circulation. Currently, the adaptive response of lymphatic vessels to mesenteric venous hypertension is not known. This study sought to determine the functional responses of postnodal mesenteric lymphatic vessels. We surgically occluded bovine mesenteric veins to create mesenteric venous hypertension to elevate mesenteric lymph flow. Three days after surgery, postnodal mesenteric lymphatic vessels from mesenteric venous hypertension (MVH; n = 7) and sham surgery (Sham; n = 6) group animals were evaluated and compared. Contraction frequency (MVH: 2.98 ± 0.75 min(-1); Sham: 5.42 ± 0.81 min(-1)) and fractional pump flow (MVH: 1.14 ± 0.30 min(-1); Sham: 2.39 ± 0.32 min(-1)) were significantly lower in the venous occlusion group. These results indicate that postnodal mesenteric lymphatic vessels adapt to mesenteric venous hypertension by reducing intrinsic contractile activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Quick
- Michael E. DeBakey Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas;
| | - John C Criscione
- Michael E. DeBakey Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Akhilesh Kotiya
- Department Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Joanne Hardy
- Michael E. DeBakey Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; and
| | - Emily Wilson
- Michael E. DeBakey Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; Systems Biology and Translational Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Temple, Texas
| | - Anatoliy A Gashev
- Michael E. DeBakey Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas; Systems Biology and Translational Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Temple, Texas
| | - Glen A Laine
- Michael E. DeBakey Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
| | - Randolph H Stewart
- Michael E. DeBakey Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
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Dongaonkar RM, Nguyen TL, Quick CM, Hardy J, Laine GA, Wilson E, Stewart RH. Adaptation of mesenteric lymphatic vessels to prolonged changes in transmural pressure. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2013; 305:H203-10. [PMID: 23666672 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00677.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In vitro studies have revealed that acute increases in transmural pressure increase lymphatic vessel contractile function. However, adaptive responses to prolonged changes in transmural pressure in vivo have not been reported. Therefore, we developed a novel bovine mesenteric lymphatic partial constriction model to test the hypothesis that lymphatic vessels exposed to higher transmural pressures adapt functionally to become stronger pumps than vessels exposed to lower transmural pressures. Postnodal mesenteric lymphatic vessels were partially constricted for 3 days. On postoperative day 3, constricted vessels were isolated, and divided into upstream (UP) and downstream (DN) segment groups, and instrumented in an isolated bath. Although there were no differences between the passive diameters of the two groups, both diastolic diameter and systolic diameter were significantly larger in the UP group than in the DN group. The pump index of the UP group was also higher than that in the DN group. In conclusion, this is the first work to report how lymphatic vessels adapt to prolonged changes in transmural pressure in vivo. Our results suggest that vessel segments upstream of the constriction adapt to become both better fluid conduits and lymphatic pumps than downstream segments.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Dongaonkar
- Michael E. DeBakey Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466, USA
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Gashev AA, Zawieja DC. Hydrodynamic regulation of lymphatic transport and the impact of aging. Pathophysiology 2010; 17:277-87. [PMID: 20226639 PMCID: PMC5507682 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathophys.2009.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2009] [Revised: 09/17/2009] [Accepted: 09/23/2009] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
To accomplish its normal roles in body fluid regulation/macromolecular homeostasis, immune function, and lipid absorption; the lymphatic system must transport lymph from the interstitial spaces, into and through the lymphatics, through the lymphatic compartment of the nodes, back into the nodal efferent lymphatics and eventually empty into the great veins. The usual net pressure gradients along this path do not normally favor the passive movement of lymph. Thus, lymph transport requires the input of energy to the lymph to propel it along this path. To do this, the lymphatic system uses a series of pumps to generate lymph flow. Thus to regulate lymph transport, both lymphatic pumping and resistance must be controlled. This review focuses on the regulation of the intrinsic lymph pump by hydrodynamic factors and how these regulatory processes are altered with age. Intrinsic lymph pumping is generated via the rapid/phasic contractions of lymphatic muscle, which are modulated by local physical factors (pressure/stretch and flow/shear). Increased lymph pressure/stretch will generally activate the intrinsic lymph pump up to a point, beyond which the lymph pump will begin to fail. The effect of increased lymph flow/shear is somewhat more complex, in that it can either activate or inhibit the intrinsic lymph pump, depending on the pattern and magnitude of the flow. The pattern and strength of the hydrodynamic regulation of the lymph transport is different in various parts of the lymphatic tree under normal conditions, depending upon the local hydrodynamic conditions. In addition, various pathophysiological processes can affect lymph transport. We have begun to evaluate the influence of the aging process on lymphatic transport characteristics in the rat thoracic duct. The pressure/stretch-dependent activation of intrinsic pumping is significantly impaired in aged rat thoracic duct (TD) and the flow/shear-dependent regulatory mechanisms are essentially completely lacking. The loss of shear-dependent modulation of lymphatic transport appears to be related to a loss of normal eNOS expression and a large rise in iNOS expression in these vessels. Therefore, aging of the lymph transport system significantly impairs its ability to transport lymph. We believe this will alter normal fluid balance as well as negatively impact immune function in the aged animals. Further studies are needed to detail the mechanisms that control and alter lymphatic transport during normal and aged conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anatoliy A. Gashev
- Department of Systems Biology and Translational Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute Division of Lymphatic Biology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, 702 SW H.K. Dodgen Loop, Temple, TX 76504, USA
| | - David C. Zawieja
- Department of Systems Biology and Translational Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute Division of Lymphatic Biology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, 702 SW H.K. Dodgen Loop, Temple, TX 76504, USA
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