scholarly journals The bright future of nanotechnology in lymphatic system imaging and imaging-guided surgery

2022 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaolong Qi ◽  
Xinyu Wang ◽  
Kun Chang ◽  
Wenbin Shen ◽  
Guocan Yu ◽  
...  

AbstractLymphatic system is identified the second vascular system after the blood circulation in mammalian species, however the research on lymphatic system has long been hampered by the lack of comprehensive imaging modality. Nanomaterials have shown the potential to enhance the quality of lymphatic imaging due to the unparalleled advantages such as the specific passive targeting and efficient co-delivery of cocktail to peripheral lymphatic system, ease molecular engineering for precise active targeting and prolonged retention in the lymphatic system of interest. Multimodal lymphatic imaging based on nanotechnology provides a complementary means to understand the kinetics of lymphoid tissues and quantify its function. In this review, we introduce the established approaches of lymphatic imaging used in clinic and summarize their strengths and weaknesses, and list the critical influence factors on lymphatic imaging. Meanwhile, the recent developments in the field of pre-clinical lymphatic imaging are discussed to shed new lights on the design of new imaging agents, the improvement of delivery methods and imaging-guided surgery strategies. Graphical Abstract

1868 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 230-231

To explain the true nature of the phenomenon of drops of blood propelled in rapid succession, as if from the caudal heart, along the caudal vein,—to prove thereby that the caudal heart belongs, not to the blood-vascular system, but to the lymphatic system,—and to inquire into the influence which the force of the lymph-stream from the caudal heart exerts in accelerating and promoting the flow of blood in the caudal vein, constitute the object of this paper. The great caudal vein of the eel is formed by the junction of two trunks, a larger and a smaller. It is into the smaller trunk, near its junction with the larger, that the caudal heart opens. At the opening, there is a valve which prevents regurgitation of the lymph back from the vein into the heart.


2018 ◽  
Vol 314 (3) ◽  
pp. G408-G417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Rehal ◽  
Matthew Stephens ◽  
Simon Roizes ◽  
Shan Liao ◽  
Pierre-Yves von der Weid

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has a complex pathophysiology with limited treatments. Structural and functional changes in the intestinal lymphatic system have been associated with the disease, with increased risk of IBD occurrence linked to a history of acute intestinal injury. To examine the potential role of the lymphatic system in inflammation recurrence, we evaluated morphological and functional changes in mouse mucosal and mesenteric lymphatic vessels, and within the mesenteric lymph nodes during acute ileitis caused by a 7-day treatment with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). We monitored whether the changes persisted during a 14-day recovery period and determined their potential consequences on dendritic cell (DC) trafficking between the mucosa and lymphoid tissues. DSS administration was associated with marked lymphatic abnormalities and dysfunctions exemplified by lymphangiectasia and lymphangiogenesis in the ileal mucosa and mesentery, increased mesenteric lymphatic vessel leakage, and lymphadenopathy. Lymphangiogenesis and lymphadenopathy were still evident after recovery from intestinal inflammation and correlated with higher numbers of DCs in mucosal and lymphatic tissues. Specifically, a deficit in CD103+ DCs observed during acute DSS in the lamina propria was reversed and further enhanced during recovery. We concluded that an acute intestinal insult caused alterations of the mesenteric lymphatic system, including lymphangiogenesis, which persisted after resolution of inflammation. These morphological and functional changes could compromise DC function and movement, increasing susceptibility to further gastrointestinal disease. Elucidation of the changes in mesenteric and intestinal lymphatic function should offer key insights for new therapeutic strategies in gastrointestinal disorders such as IBD. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Lymphatic integrity plays a critical role in small intestinal homeostasis. Acute intestinal insult in a mouse model of acute ileitis causes morphological and functional changes in mesenteric and intestinal lymphatic vessels. While some of the changes significantly regressed during inflammation resolution, others persisted, including lymphangiogenesis and altered dendritic cell function and movement, potentially increasing susceptibility to the recurrence of gastrointestinal inflammation.


2007 ◽  
Vol 98 (08) ◽  
pp. 304-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruediger Liersch ◽  
Michael Detmar

SummaryThe lymphatic vascular system plays an important role in the maintenance of fluid homeostasis, in the afferent immune response, in the intestinal lipid uptake and in the metastatic spread of malignant cells. The recent discovery of specific markers and growth factors for lymphatic endothelium and the establishment of genetic mouse models with impairment of lymphatic function have provided novel insights into the molecular control of the lymphatic system in physiology and in embryonic development. They have also identified molecular pathways whose mutational inactivation leads to human diseases associated with lymphedema. Moreover, the lymphatic system plays a major role in chronic inflammatory diseases and in transplant rejection. Importantly, malignant tumors can directly promote lymphangiogenesis within the primary tumor and in draining lymph nodes, leading to enhanced cancer metastasis to lymph nodes and beyond. Based upon these findings, novel therapeutic strategies are currently being developed that aim at inhibiting or promoting the formation and function of lymphatic vessels in disease.


eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael RM Harrison ◽  
Xidi Feng ◽  
Guqin Mo ◽  
Antonio Aguayo ◽  
Jessi Villafuerte ◽  
...  

The cardiac lymphatic vascular system and its potentially critical functions in heart patients have been largely underappreciated, in part due to a lack of experimentally accessible systems. We here demonstrate that cardiac lymphatic vessels develop in young adult zebrafish, using coronary arteries to guide their expansion down the ventricle. Mechanistically, we show that in cxcr4a mutants with defective coronary artery development, cardiac lymphatic vessels fail to expand onto the ventricle. In regenerating adult zebrafish hearts the lymphatic vasculature undergoes extensive lymphangiogenesis in response to a cryoinjury. A significant defect in reducing the scar size after cryoinjury is observed in zebrafish with impaired Vegfc/Vegfr3 signaling that fail to develop intact cardiac lymphatic vessels. These results suggest that the cardiac lymphatic system can influence the regenerative potential of the myocardium.


QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aya Y Ahmed ◽  
Mona A Nagi ◽  
Radwa H. El Sheikh

Abstract Background Lymphoma compromises а histologically heterogeneous group of cancers derived from the cells of the immune system. The hallmark of the disease is the enlargement and proliferation of lymph nodes or secondary lymphoid tissues. Aim of the Work to evaluate the role of Positron emission tomography in the assessment of response to therapy in lymphoma patients: in particular, a five-point scale (Deauville criteria), which can be employed for early- and late-therapeutic response assessment. Patients and Methods This cross sectional study was conducted on 20 Patients with different types of lymphoma recruited and enrolled from Ain Shams university hospital. Results PET/CT and Contrast enhanced computed tomography were concurrent in results in 55% of cases during treatment and 75 % at the end of treatment with CT sensitivity of 61.1%, specificity of 92.2% and accuracy of 76.2% during treatment in comparison to 100 % sensitivity and specificity of PET/CT.While sensitivity of CT at end of treatment is 57.5% with specificity of 86.7% and accuracy of 71.6%. Conclusion PET/СT using 2-deoxy-2[18F]fluoro-D-glucose is considered one of the best oncologic imaging modality at the time being with valuable applications in lymphoma.It is very efficient with least possible pitfalls and false results compared to either of its components alone and to side by side reading of separately acquired PET and СT. It is becoming а standard modality for lymphoma providing а new vision to management and treatment plan.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1961 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-76
Author(s):  
Peter J. Koblenzer ◽  
Martin J. Bukowski

A case is described of a diffuse, possibly generalized, abnormality of a hamartomatous nature of the peripheral vascular system. A number of cases from the literature, which also appear to belong in this category, are summarized. Histologic examination shows that lymph and blood vessels may both be involved, though this may be essentially an abnormality of the lymphatic system in which extensive venolymphatic communications occur. The clinical manifestations vary according to the site of involvement and the extent of dissemination and also according to whether the lesions are predominantly hemangiomatous or lymphangiomatous. The main features are osteolytic lesions, visceromegaly, cutaneous hemangiomas or lymphangiomas and massive effusions into any body cavity. The effusions are usually chylous, sanguineous or a mixture of both. Any or all of these features may be present in any one case. The disease frequently has its onset in childhood or adolescence and tends to be progressive. If the lesions are widely disseminated or an effusion into a body cavity is present the outlook is grave. Treatment so far has been unsuccessful. Surgery may occasionally have a place. The term angiomatosis is employed to denote this condition not only to underline its potentially extensive nature but also to avoid debate as to whether it is essentially hemangiomatosis or lymphangiomatosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (03) ◽  
pp. 250-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claus Christian Pieper

AbstractNovel lymphatic imaging and interventional techniques are increasingly used in the diagnostic workup and treatment of pathologies of the central lymphatic system and have opened a new field of interventional radiology. The mainstay of lymphatic imaging today is magnetic resonance lymphangiography (MRL). It provides information on the anatomy of the central lymphatic system, lymphatic flow, as well as lymphatic pathologies and therefore is a valuable tool for treatment planning. There are two techniques to perform contrast-enhanced MRL: nodal dynamic contrast-enhanced MRL (nodal DCE-MRL) and interstitial transpedal MRL (tMRL). Nodal DCE-MRL yields superior information on lymphatic flow dynamics and is therefore best suited for suspected lymphatic flow pathologies and lymphatic malformations. tMRL is a technically simpler alternative for central lymphatic visualization without the need for sonographically guided lymph node cannulation. This review article describes current MRL techniques with a focus on contrast-enhanced MRL, their specific advantages, and possible clinical applications in patients suffering from pathologies of the central lymphatic system.


2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (03) ◽  
pp. 318-323
Author(s):  
Maxim Itkin ◽  
Deborah Rabinowitz ◽  
Saebeom Hur

AbstractLymphatic imaging and interventions are gaining wider acceptance as the treatment of various lymphatic diseases. Meanwhile, the liver lymphatic system remains relatively unknown despite its physiological importance. Liver lymph has been at the center of the lymphatic research since the 19th century; however, the acquired knowledge has not been used in clinical research and treatment due to the lack of robust imaging methods. Recently introduced liver lymphangiography and interstitial embolization allow for the diagnosis and treatment of several diseases associated with the lymphatic system of the congested liver, providing additional treatment options for conditions that were considered incurable until now.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 107602961988940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Kouta ◽  
Walter Jeske ◽  
Debra Hoppensteadt ◽  
Omer Iqbal ◽  
Yiming Yao ◽  
...  

Unfractionated heparin is the first anticoagulant drug and has been successfully used clinically for over 80 years. Heparin and its analogues are used during surgery and dialysis and are often used to coat indwelling catheters and other devices where the vascular system is exposed. Most of the heparins used clinically are derived from porcine intestinal mucosa. However, heparins have also been manufactured from tissues of other mammalian species such as cows and sheep. Recently there have been attempts to generate bioengineered heparin in order to overcome contamination and antigenicity problems. Currently there are some concerns about the shortage of the porcine heparins as they are widely used in the manufacturing of the low-molecular-weight heparins. Moreover, due to cultural and religious reasons in some countries, alternative sources of heparins are needed. The Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory agencies have considered alternative sourcing of heparin for potential substitution of porcine heparin and are currently reviewing this matter. Numerous studies are ongoing to understand the structure-activity relationships of these various heparins. In this article, heparins from different animal sources were studied to determine the extent of biosimilarity between them. For these investigations, 10 batches each of bovine mucosal heparin (BMH), ovine mucosal heparin (OMH), and porcine mucosal heparin (PMH) were studied. These studies have demonstrated that OMH and PMH have comparable anticoagulant and antiproteases activities. However, BMH exhibited somewhat a lower potency compared to OMH and PMH in functional assays.


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