Abstract
During lymphatic transport, lymph fluid travels through several regional lymph nodes. There are, however, few information regarding lymphatic flow pathway of substances and lymphocytes within the lymph nodes. We have established suitable preparations to visualize the lymphatic flow pathway within lymph nodes by using fluorescent video-microscope system (Jpn. J. Physiol., 52: S67, 2002). In the present study, we investigated quantitatively the lymphatic flow pathway of fluorescence substances and lymphocytes within the lymph nodes. The iliac lymph nodes were isolated from Wistar rats and their afferent and efferent lymph vessels were cannulated in an organ chamber. Lymphocytes were collected from the mesenteric lymph nodes and then provided to label for visualization with CSFE. The isolated lymph nodes were selectively circulated with physiological salt solution through the afferent and efferent lymph vessels in the absence or presence of fluorescence substances (FITC-dextran; 77KDa and fluoresbrite carboxylate microsphere; 1μm) and CSFE-labeled lymphocytes. The lymphatic flow pathway within the lymph nodes was obtained by using fluorescence video-microscopy. The FITC-dextran passed through the lymph nodes about 120sec, while the microspheres and lymphocytes were captured within the lymph nodes. These results suggest that there are heterogeneities in the molecular size-dependent lymphatic flow pathways within the lymph nodes. [Jpn J Physiol 54 Suppl:S92 (2004)]
