Structure and function of lymphatic postcapillaries (coordinating mechanism of the processes of interstitial transport and lymphatic resorption

Investigation performed on topography, structure and resorptive function of lymphatic microvessels in the serous membranes gives possibilities to work out a model on formation and transport of lymph. Lymphatic postcapillaries (LP) - thin-walled endothelial channels with valves make an important link of the lymphatic system. The LP structure is similar to that of capillaries. These microvessels are situated in the interstitial space area, that are characterized with their high content of plasma proteins and water. Interrelation in concentrations of protein in the LP lumen and in the tissue ensures the existence of the osmotic gradient pressure through the wall and contributes liquor resorption into the lumen of microvessels. Peritoneal lymphatic capillaries are situated in the areas of a higher hydrotation level of the interstitial space. They can control the rate of the liquor filtration from plasma into tissue and regulate the resorption level in the whole lymphatic network. The model provides a differentiated participation of the LP and capillaries in performing resorption of proteins and liquor from the interstitium. The resorption mechanisms are closely connected with processes of the lymph movement along the vessels.     

Reorganization of the lymphomicrocirculatory bed of human myocardium in ontogenesis

By means of Gerota mass and silver nitrate solution, injected into the myocardium and its vessels, as well as using the scanning electron microscopy technique for corrosive casts, links of the human myocardial lymphomicrocirculatory bed have been studied, beginning from 6-9-month-old fetuses up to elderly and old age persons. Changes in form, dimensions and amount per a volumetric unit have been stated in myocardial capillaries and postcapillaries. These signs demonstrate that the myocardial lymphatic system has different importance for each stage of individual development of the human heart.     

Structural interrelations of the air-blood barrier and terminal sections of the lymphatic link in the pulmonary microcirculatory bed in chronic hypervolemia

The interalveolar septa of the human lungs are known to have no lymphatic capillaries. The topography of the pulmonary lymphatic system origin under conditions of chronic hypervolemia is still not investigated. Lungs of 24 corpses of persons, died from non-pulmonary pathology (control) and lungs of 34 corpses of persons, died from congenital and acquired heart disease accompanied with pre- and postcapillary forms of the pulmonary circulation hypertension, have been investigated. Decreased efficiency of the microcirculation, increased permeability of the blood capillary walls against the background of hypoxia result in an elevated production of lymph. Intensified collagen formation in the blood vessel walls and in the interalveolar septa is the prerequisite for reorganization of the pulmonary lymphatic bed. Lymphatic capillaries are found to grow into some sclerotic interalveolar septa and into deep structures of the blood capillary walls. This demonstrates a high plasticity of the lymphatic link terminal parts of the microcirculatory bed in pathologically changed lungs.     

A Model for Fluid Drainage by the Lymphatic System

This study investigates the fluid flow through tissues where lymphatic drainage occurs. Lymphatic drainage requires the use of two valve systems, primary and secondary. Primary valves are located in the initial lymphatics. Overlapping endothelial cells around the circumferential lining of lymphatic capillaries are presumed to act as a unidirectional valve system. Secondary valves are located in the lumen of the collecting lymphatics and act as another unidirectional valve system; these are well studied in contrast to primary valves. We propose a model for the drainage of fluid by the lymphatic system that includes the primary valve system. The analysis in this work incorporates the mechanics of the primary lymphatic valves as well as the fluid flow through the interstitium and that through the walls of the blood capillaries. The model predicts a piecewise linear relation between the drainage flux and the pressure difference between the blood and lymphatic capillaries. The model describes a permeable membrane around a blood capillary, an elastic primary lymphatic valve and the interstitium lying between the two.     

Lymphatic bed of the heart in the post-resuscitation period

In the experiment performed on 96 rabbits, by means of silver nitrate impregnation and Gerota mass injection methods, changes in the epicardial lymphatic bed have been investigated after 5-minutes' clinical death caused by hemorrhage. During first hours after resuscitation certain signs of the lymphatic drenage activation are revealed. In most of the animals the specific density of the lymphatic bed increases, capillaries and postcapillaries dilate, hyperargirophilia of cytoplasm and nuclei of endotheliocytes appears. In the animals sacrificed against the background of a severe state (with certain, signs of a pronounced hypoxia), there are dystrophically and degeneratively altered endotheliocytes. This is accompanied with hyper- hypoargyrophilia of endothelium, fragmentation of its cell borders, with deterioration of injection ability of the lymph outflow pathways. In the rabbits survived, by the 7th-14th days a gradual normalization of the parameters studied takes place.     

Lymphatic bed of layers of the abdominal wall in the human inguinal area]

Lymphatic bed in the layers of the inguinal area was studied in connection with age in 70 human corpses. Polychromic injection of arteries, veins and lymphatic bed, staining of preparations after van Gieson, Weigert, with hematoxylin-eosin and morphometry were the methods applied. It was stated that lymphatic capillaries penetrate through all the layers forming the abdominal wall of the human inguinal area; they arrange interconnected networks in dermis, in external and internal oblique and transversal muscles and in their aponeuroses, as well as in fasciae and in the peritoneum. The lymphatic bed in question changes during ontogenesis. Age transformations of the lymphatic capillaries are in connection with functional loading on the anterior abdominal wall. Intraorganic connections existing between the lymphatic vessels of the anterior abdominal wall and the organs of the small pelvis (urinary bladder, uterus, rectum, etc.) are revealed, they are of a rather great interest for physicians.     

Topography of the borderline structures of the anterior portion of the inferior mediastinum and their vascularization

By means of silver nitrate impregnation after V. V. Kupriianov of blood vessels it has been revealed that the blood microcirculatory bed of the borderline structures in the anterior part of the inferior mediastinum, united by their topographical proximity and common sources of blood supply, are characterized by a high concentration of microvessels, arterioles, precapillaries, capillaries, postcapillaries and venules. In each structure investigated peculiar features of the blood microcirculatory bed organization are defined. Richness in vessels and their borderline position ensure potency of transudation and resorption of liquids from the inferior mediastinum in the cases, when the mediastinal part studied becomes the reservoir for pathological exudates (at traumas, at mediastinitis).     

Probing the effect of morphology on lymphatic valve dynamic function

The lymphatic system is vital to the circulatory and immune systems, performing a range of important functions such as transport of interstitial fluid, fatty acid, and immune cells. Lymphatic vessels are composed of contractile walls and lymphatic valves, allowing them to pump lymph against adverse pressure gradients and to prevent backflow. Despite the importance of the lymphatic system, the contribution of mechanical and geometric changes of lymphatic valves and vessels in pathologies of lymphatic dysfunction, such as lymphedema, is not well understood. We develop a fully coupled fluid–solid, three-dimensional computational model to interrogate the various parameters thought to influence valve behavior and the consequences of these changes to overall lymphatic function. A lattice Boltzmann model is used to simulate the lymph, while a lattice spring model is used to model the mechanics of lymphatic valves. Lymphatic valve functions such as enabling lymph flow and preventing backflow under varied lymphatic valve geometries and mechanical properties are investigated to provide an understanding of the function of lymphatic vessels and valves. The simulations indicate that lymphatic valve function is optimized when valves are of low aspect ratio and bending stiffness, so long as these parameters are maintained at high enough values to allow for proper valve closing. This suggests that valve stiffening could have a profound effect on overall lymphatic pumping performance. Furthermore, dynamic valve simulations showed that this model captures the delayed response of lymphatic valves to dynamic flow conditions, which is an essential feature of valve operation. Thus, our model enhances our understanding of how lymphatic pathologies, specifically those exhibiting abnormal valve morphologies such as has been suggested to occur in cases of primary lymphedema, can lead to lymphatic dysfunctions.     

Microcirculatory bed of serous membranes in rats with spontaneous genetic hypertension]

The microvasculature (MV) of serous membranes was compared in rats with spontaneous genetic hypertension (SHR) and in normotensive Wistar rats. The study showed that in hypertension MV lesions had a systemic distribution, as structural changes were present in every MV component (arterioles, precapillaries, capillaries, postcapillaries, venules, lymphatic capillaries, and postcapillaries, nerve fibers); these lesions were generalized, as similar alterations could be found in all serous membranes studied. A close resemblance observed between MV of serous membranes in SHR and in patients who died of hypertensive disease confirms the concept suggesting the existence of MV changes which were relatively specific for hypertension, along with those of the nonspecific nature. Specificity of the hypertensive process is manifested in severe vascular lesions of a peculiar type, while the nonspecific phenomena are represented by a combination of intravascular, perivascular, and minimal vascular alterations represented by a universal MV response to various stresses.     

Morphofunctional characteristics of the hemomicrocirculatory bed of the canine pericardium

The hemomicrocirculatory bed in the canine pericardium is presented by arterioles, precapillaries, capillaries, postcapillaries and venules situating in various connective tissue layers of the pericardium. Certain morphological peculiarities of the structure of the hemomicrocirculatory bed links are revealed in various parts of the pericardium. As demonstrate morphometry data, the diameter of all the vessels of the hemomicrocirculatory bed in various parts of the pericardium has no precise differences. There are some fluctuations in the number of the capillaries per 1 mm2 in various parts of the pericardium. Their number is comparatively greater in the area of the vascular porta (transitional fold), in the left lateral, in the ventral and dorsal parts of the pericardium. In these parts of the pericardium the density of the capillaries is increased, the network is especially dense in the area where the pericardial transitional fold passes into the epicardium. In the pericardial microcirculatory blood bed adaptive mechanisms (glomeruli, arteriolo-venular anastomoses, microsphincters) performing regulation of the organ's blood stream, are widely presented.     

Lymphatic vessels in lungfishes (Dipnoi)

 Lymphatic capillaries are distributed throughout the body of lepidosirenid and protopterid Dipnoi, except in the central nervous system. They form small, interconnected units which are individually evacuated into nearby blood capillaries by lymphatic micropumps. The number of lymphatic micropumps varies considerably in different parts of the body. In fin areas, 30–50 per mm³ tissue may be considered normal in Protopterus annectens, but up to 105 per mm³ have been counted in an anterior fin of Lepidosiren paradoxa. Lymphatic capillaries are formed by thin endothelial cells with fine processes into the surrounding interstitial space. Occasionally there is a faint, discontinuous basal lamina. Pericytes, however, are completely absent. Microfibrils establish contact between endothelial cells and surrounding connective tissue fibers. The lymphatic micropumps are essentially spherical, contractile organs of 35–55 μm in diameter. Their central lumen is lined by extensions of a single endothelial cell. Additional endothelial cells form inflow and outflow valves. The endothelial layer is surrounded by a single large, highly specialized muscle cell. This spherical muscle cell has many perforations, allowing the passage of thin outward processes of the endothelial cell which form part of the suspension apparatus of the lymphatic micropump. The muscle cell establishes a specialized end-to-end contact between opposing parts of its own cell membrane. This contact is very similar to an intercalated disc in vertebrate heart muscle. Each lymphatic micropump is suspended within a cell-free tissue area by microfibrils which radiate from the lymphatic micropump into the surrounding connective tissue. The microfibrils are occasionally reinforced by single collagen fibers. The cell-free area around each lymphatic micropump appears as a bright halo in both light and electron micrographs. No type of lymphatic vessel other than lymphatic capillaries could be detected in the Dipnoi studied. Lepidosireniform Dipnoi are the only Vertebrata besides the Tetrapoda in which lymphatic vessels and characteristic lymphatic pumps have been documented. In addition, these Dipnoi and all Tetrapoda share the same overall design of blood circulation, which is not divided into a primary and a secondary system of vessels, as it is in Actinopterygii, Chondrichthyes, and Agnatha. Since there are primary and secondary blood vessels in the gills of Latimeria chalumnae, while the existence of lymphatic vessels has not been confirmed, general angioarchitecture should be taken into account as an important character when phylogenetic relationships among extant Sarcopterygii are discussed. Accepted: 7 October 1997     

The dynamics of morphofunctional changes in the microcirculation of the pelvic extremity after modeling the chief stages of its replantation]

Under study was the effect of autotransplantation in its "pure form" upon the morpho-functional reconstruction and structural mechanisms of adaptation of the blood and lymphatic links of the microcirculatory bed of extremities during early postoperation period up to 10 days. The pathophysiological state of the extremity sufficiently close to its autotransplantation was obtained by means of circular transection of soft tissues of the medial third of the femur together with the nerves and deep collecting lymphatic vessels. It was found that after modeling the main stages of replantation in the fascia and periosteum of the operated extremity there developed a spasm of the arteriolar link and dilatation of the venular and lymphatic links of the microcirculatory bed. The areas of leukocytic infiltration with the phenomena of diapedesis and microhemorrhages were revealed along the course of postcapillaries and venules in the paravasal connective tissue. The amount of functioning arteriole-venular anastomoses was increased. Against the background of pronounced oedema of soft tissues of the operated extremity the venous pressure increased and the rate of the capillary bloodflow in the skin and muscles decreased. The above changes tend to be reduced by the 10th day after modelling the main stages of replantation of the extremity.     

Structure of lymphatic vessels in the rat thyroid gland

The lymphatic bed of the thyroid gland has been studied in 24 intact rats. Three techniques facilitating to reveal lymphatic vessels in the organ have been used: preparation of semithin sections, injection of the blood bed with methyl methacrylate with a successive chemical extraction of the preparations, injection of the blood bed with liquid solution of methyl methacrylate with a consecutive study of the preparations in the scanning electron microscope. Methods of electron histochemistry (revealing horseradish peroxidase) and kryofractography have been applied. Construction of the thyroid lymphatic bed, structure of the wall are described, fibroblastic membrane (F-membrane) is revealed and the signs are presented, that allow to differentiate F-membrane from endothelium of the lymphatic capillaries. The pathways of lymph outflow in the rat thyroid gland consist of the following links: interstitial space in the interlobular spaces of the gland, into them the tissue liquor (lymph) is filtered ; plates of the F-membrane regulating direction of excessive albumin-containing liquor in the lymphatic capillaries, surrounding groups of 5-11 follicles, embracing the microlobule of the gland and situating in the interlobular spaces, deferent lymphatic vessels.     

Multiscale modeling of lymphatic drainage from tissues using homogenization theory

Lymphatic capillary drainage of interstitial fluid under both steady-state and inflammatory conditions is important for tissue fluid balance, cancer metastasis, and immunity. Lymphatic drainage function is critically coupled to the fluid mechanical properties of the interstitium, yet this coupling is poorly understood. Here we sought to effectively model the lymphatic-interstitial fluid coupling and ask why the lymphatic capillary network often appears with roughly a hexagonal architecture. We use homogenization method, which allows tissue-scale lymph flow to be integrated with the microstructural details of the lymphatic capillaries, thus gaining insight into the functionality of lymphatic anatomy. We first describe flow in lymphatic capillaries using the Navier-Stokes equations and flow through the interstitium using Darcy's law. We then use multiscale homogenization to derive macroscale equations describing lymphatic drainage, with the mouse tail skin as a basis. We find that the limiting resistance for fluid drainage is that from the interstitium into the capillaries rather than within the capillaries. We also find that between hexagonal, square, and parallel tube configurations of lymphatic capillary networks, the hexagonal structure is the most efficient architecture for coupled interstitial and capillary fluid transport; that is, it clears the most interstitial fluid for a given network density and baseline interstitial fluid pressure. Thus, using homogenization theory, one can assess how vessel microstructure influences the macroscale fluid drainage by the lymphatics and demonstrate why the hexagonal network of dermal lymphatic capillaries is optimal for interstitial tissue fluid clearance.     

Intraorganic lymphatic bed of the cattle heart

Lymphomicrocirculatory networks of endocardium, myocardium and epicardium, as well as lymphatic vessels of four orders represent the intraorganic lymphatic bed of the cattle heart. In the endocardium there is a lymphatic network with close loops and a small amount of blindly beginning capillaries. The capillary lymphatic bed of the endocardial trabeculae carneae is much more dense than that in the other part of the endocardial surface. The spatial lymphatic network of the myocardium is joined with the lymphomicrocirculatory networks of the endocardium and epicardium by means of a large amount of connections. The epicardial lymphatic bed is formed by blindly beginning lymphatic capillaries, which situate in close and nonclose loops of the lymphatic network. In the epicardium there is only one lymphatic network. The size of the loops and the diameter of the lymphatic capillaries is directly proportional to the age of the animals.     

Development of the lymphatic bed of the human esophageal wall]

The lymphatic capillaries are firstly determined in fetuses at the age of 3-4 months in the oesophagus submucous lamina. In fetuses of 5-6 months of age transition of the lymphatic capillaries from the submucous lamina into the mucous membrane proper is noted. In fetuses of 6 months of age perivascular lymphatic capillaries and vessels appear. They form peculiar paths around arterioles, venules, arterial branches and venous tributaries. The lymphatic bed of the oesophageal wall is rather well developed in mature fetuses and newborns. In adult and old persons a partial reduction of the lymphatic bed in the oesophageal wall is observed.     

Analysis of the structural parameters of the blood flow pathways in the microcirculatory system]

The reconstruction of the mesenterium microcirculatory bed was performed intravitally in albino rats and cats after biomicrophotograms. The number, length and caliber of arterioles, pericapillary arteriolec, capillaries, postcapillary venules and venules of the mesenterium were measured. According to these data summary indices of the cross section, surface and volume of the vessels of various functional subdivisions of the microcirculatory bed were calculated. The blood volume entering the microcirculatory system of the albino rat's mesenterium is distributed in the vessels as follows: 8,4% -- arterioles, 10,2% -- pericapillary arterioles, 41,9% -- capillaries, 22,1% -- postcapillary venules and 17,4% -- venules. Similar correlations were found in the cat. The working surface of capillaries is 60--70% of the working surface of all the vessels of the mesenterial microcirculatory system. The evidence of the functional variability of the microcirculatory bed geometry depending on the tissue needs in blood supply is presented.     

The intraorganic lymphatic bed of the mucous membrane of the tongue

The intraorganic lymphatic bed of the canine tongue mucous membrane is presented by the superficial and deep capillary networks and by the plexuses of the intraorganic lymphatic vessels. The capillaries of the superficial network in the thickness of the mucous membrane of the dorsal surface of the lingual tip, body and root form the lymphatic bed of the mechanical and gustatory papillas. The diameter of the capillaries in the both networks and in the intraorganic lymphatic vessels is greater in the mucous membrane of the ventral surface of the tip and of the lateral surfaces of the lingual body, and density of their arrangement is higher in the mucous membrane on the dorsal surface of the lingual tip, body and root. The capillaries of the superficial network in all areas of the lingual mucous membrane are thinner than those of the deep network, and the loops formed by the capillaries of the superficial network are less than the loops of the deep network.     

The relationship between the lymphatic vessels of the nerves of the human lower extremity and the perineural spaces]

The lymphatic vessels and perineural spaces of superficial and profound nerves of the extremity were studied on the material of 50 lower extremities of corpses of humans by the method of intratissue and direct injection. Initial lymphatic capillaries and extraorganic lymphatic vessels and their paravasal plexuses were found. It is concluded that closed lymphatic capillaries having no immediate connection with the perineural space are the roots of the lymphatic bed in the nerve.