Year: 2023
Type: editorial
Abstract: lymphatics; button junctions; zipper junctionsThe lymphatic vascular network encompasses a series of blind-ended, unidirectional vessels that routes fluid, macromolecules, and cells from the interstitial compartments of virtually every organ for return into the systemic circulation 1 .Lymphatic vessels of the gut have specialized functions that include absorption of dietary lipids and fat-soluble vitamins, cholesterol transport, and gut immunosurveillance.This process begins with uptake of interstitial fluid by the lymphatic capillaries which coalesce and drain into collecting vessels equipped with valves that serve to propel lymph towards the thoracic duct and back into the systemic circulation.Lymphatic capillaries absorb interstitial fluid through discontinuous intercellular contacts between endothelial cells called button-like junctions, while collecting vessels, lined by less permeablezipper-like junctions facilitate the transport of lymph and prevent fluid backleak 2 .Although several studies have revealed junctional plasticity in initial lymphatics whereby button junctions transform into zippers or vice versa the mechanisms underlying these transformations are not well understood.In this issue of Circulation Research, Zarkada et al elegantly investigated the effects of chylomicrons on lacteal permeability and lipid absorption in the intestine 3 .By comparing postnatal day 0.5 (P0.5) mice fed with milk to prenatal embryonic day 20.5 (E20.5)mice that were not fed, the authors discovered that lacteals from fed mice had predominantly button-type junctions while non-fed mice had more zipper junctions.The authors hypothesized that that the presence of dietary lipids promoted junction opening, thus enabling transport of lipids from the intestinal epithelial cells into the lymphatic
Source: Circulation Research
Institutions: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: Role of Macrophage-Specific AT1R in Atherosclerosis of Chronic Kidney Dysfunction, Pharmacological Validation of Vascular KATP Channels for Modulating Ductus Arteriosus Tone, Immune Mechanisms of Salt-Sensitive hypertension, Salt Mediated Cross Talk Between Lymphatic Vessels and Immune Cells in Kidney Disease, HDL Function in Human Disease
OpenAlex ID: W4385520207