Characterization of lymphangiogenesis in a model of adult skin regeneration

To date, adult lymphangiogenesis is not well understood. In this study we describe the evolution of lymphatic capillaries in regenerating skin and correlate lymphatic migration and organization with the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), immune cells, the growth factors VEGF-A and VEGF-C, and the heparan sulfate proteogylcan perlecan, a key component of basement membrane. We show that while lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) migrate and organize unidirectionally, in the direction of interstitial fluid flow, they do not sprout into the region but rather migrate as single cells that later join together into vessels. Furthermore, in a modified “shunted flow” version of the model, infiltrated LECs fail to organize into functional vessels, indicating that interstitial fluid flow is necessary for lymphatic organization. Perlecan expression on new lymphatic vessels was only observed after vessel organization was complete and also appeared first in the distal region, consistent with the directionality of lymphatic migration and organization. VEGF-C expression peaked at the initiation of lymphangiogenesis but was reduced to lower levels throughout organization and maturation. In mice lacking MMP-9, lymphatics regenerated normally, suggesting that MMP-9 is not required for lymphangiogenesis, at least in mouse skin. This study thus characterizes the process of adult lymphangiogenesis and differentiates it from sprouting blood angiogenesis, verifies its dependence on interstitial fluid flow for vessel organization, and correlates its temporal evolution with those of relevant environmental factors.

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On the characterization of interstitial fluid flow in the skeletal muscle endomysium

Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials ◽

10.1016/j.jmbbm.2019.103504 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 102 ◽

pp. 103504 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Qiuyun Wang ◽

Shaopeng Pei ◽

X. Lucas Lu ◽

Liyun Wang ◽

Qianhong Wu

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Fluid Flow ◽

Interstitial Fluid ◽

Interstitial Fluid Flow

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Autologous Gradient Formation Under Differential Interstitial Fluid Flow Environments

10.20944/preprints202111.0353.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Caleb Stine ◽

Jennifer Munson

Keyword(s):

Fluid Flow ◽

Interstitial Fluid ◽

Single Cells ◽

Specific Cell ◽

Minimal Distance ◽

Interstitial Flow ◽

Interstitial Fluid Flow ◽

Element Analysis ◽

Gradient Formation ◽

The Brain

Fluid flow and chemokine gradients play a large part in not only regulating homeostatic processes in the brain, but also in pathologic conditions by directing cell migration. Tumor cells in particular are superior at invading into the brain resulting in tumor recurrence. One mechanism that governs cellular invasion is autologous chemotaxis, whereby pericellular chemokine gradients form due to interstitial fluid flow (IFF) leading cells to migrate up the gradient. Glioma cells have been shown to specifically use CXCL12 to increase their invasion under heightened interstitial flow. Computational modeling of this gradient offers better insight into the extent of its development around single cells, yet very few conditions have been modelled. In this paper, a computational model is developed to investigate how a CXCL12 gradient may form around a tumor cell and what conditions are necessary to affect its formation. Through finite element analysis using COMSOL and coupled convection-diffusion/mass transport equations, we show that velocity (IFF magnitude) has the largest parametric effect on gradient formation, multidirectional fluid flow causes gradient formation in the direction of the resultant which is governed by IFF magnitude, common treatments and flow patterns have a spatiotemporal effect on pericellular gradients, exogenous background concentrations can abrogate the autologous effect depending on how close the cell is to the source, that there is a minimal distance away from the tumor border required for a single cell to establish an autologous gradient, and finally that the development of a gradient formation is highly dependent on specific cell morphology.

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Autologous Gradient Formation under Differential Interstitial Fluid Flow Environments

Biophysica ◽

10.3390/biophysica2010003 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 16-33

Author(s):

Caleb A. Stine ◽

Jennifer M. Munson

Keyword(s):

Fluid Flow ◽

Interstitial Fluid ◽

Single Cells ◽

Specific Cell ◽

Interstitial Flow ◽

Interstitial Fluid Flow ◽

Element Analysis ◽

Convection Diffusion ◽

Gradient Formation ◽

The Brain

Fluid flow and chemokine gradients play a large part in not only regulating homeostatic processes in the brain, but also in pathologic conditions by directing cell migration. Tumor cells in particular are superior at invading into the brain resulting in tumor recurrence. One mechanism that governs cellular invasion is autologous chemotaxis, whereby pericellular chemokine gradients form due to interstitial fluid flow (IFF) leading cells to migrate up the gradient. Glioma cells have been shown to specifically use CXCL12 to increase their invasion under heightened interstitial flow. Computational modeling of this gradient offers better insight into the extent of its development around single cells, yet very few conditions have been modelled. In this paper, a computational model is developed to investigate how a CXCL12 gradient may form around a tumor cell and what conditions are necessary to affect its formation. Through finite element analysis using COMSOL and coupled convection-diffusion/mass transport equations, we show that velocity (IFF magnitude) has the largest parametric effect on gradient formation, multidirectional fluid flow causes gradient formation in the direction of the resultant which is governed by IFF magnitude, common treatments and flow patterns have a spatiotemporal effect on pericellular gradients, exogenous background concentrations can abrogate the autologous effect depending on how close the cell is to the source, that there is a minimum distance away from the tumor border required for a single cell to establish an autologous gradient, and finally that the development of a gradient formation is highly dependent on specific cell morphology.

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The role of interstitial fluid flow on breast cancer progression

10.17918/etd-6054 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alimatou Mbanya Tchafa

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Fluid Flow ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Interstitial Fluid ◽

Breast Cancer Progression ◽

Interstitial Fluid Flow

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Interstitial flow promotes macrophage polarization toward an M2 phenotype

Molecular Biology of the Cell ◽

10.1091/mbc.e18-03-0164 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 29 (16) ◽

pp. 1927-1940 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Ran Li ◽

Jean Carlos Serrano ◽

Hao Xing ◽

Tara A. Lee ◽

Hesham Azizgolshani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fluid Flow ◽

Tumor Microenvironment ◽

Tumor Progression ◽

Cancer Cell ◽

Interstitial Fluid ◽

Macrophage Polarization ◽

Interstitial Flow ◽

Interstitial Fluid Flow ◽

M2 Polarization ◽

Tumor Tissues

Tumor tissues are characterized by an elevated interstitial fluid flow from the tumor to the surrounding stroma. Macrophages in the tumor microenvironment are key contributors to tumor progression. While it is well established that chemical stimuli within the tumor tissues can alter macrophage behaviors, the effects of mechanical stimuli, especially the flow of interstitial fluid in the tumor microenvironment, on macrophage phenotypes have not been explored. Here, we used three-dimensional biomimetic models to reveal that macrophages can sense and respond to pathophysiological levels of interstitial fluid flow reported in tumors (∼3 µm/s). Specifically, interstitial flow (IF) polarizes macrophages toward an M2-like phenotype via integrin/Src-mediated mechanotransduction pathways involving STAT3/6. Consistent with this flow-induced M2 polarization, macrophages treated with IF migrate faster and have an enhanced ability to promote cancer cell migration. Moreover, IF directs macrophages to migrate against the flow. Since IF emanates from the tumor to the surrounding stromal tissues, our results suggest that IF could not only induce M2 polarization of macrophages but also recruit these M2 macrophages toward the tumor masses, contributing to cancer cell invasion and tumor progression. Collectively, our study reveals that IF could be a critical regulator of tumor immune environment.

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