Title:
Exploring Lymphatic Function: An Engineered Toolbox to Shed Light on Nature’s Invisible Vessels
Exploring Lymphatic Function: An Engineered Toolbox to Shed Light on Nature’s Invisible Vessels
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Author(s)
Dixon, J. Brandon
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Abstract
Proper lymphatic function is essential to a variety of important physiologic processes including
immune cell trafficking, lipid absorption, and the regulation of fluid balance. However, the
experimental difficulties associated with making actual measurements on lymphatics have
slowed our understanding of these processes. In vitro experiments on isolated primary lymphatic
endothelial cells or lymphatic muscle cells remove the cell from its native biological and
mechanical microenvironment, making the interpretation of results challenging. In vivo
experiments, on the other hand, often require highly invasive and terminal procedures to access
the vessels. In this talk I will describe several experimental platforms we have developed to
assist in both of these issues. By culturing cells in microenvironments that more accurately
recreate their biophysical and physiologic surroundings, we seek to not only better recapitulate
the in vivo state, but to explore how changes in this mechanical environment participate in the
pathogenesis of lymphatic disease. Through the use of NIR imaging techniques, we can perform
longitudinal studies on lymphatic function and measure lymphatic pumping pressure in a minimally
invasive fashion. Finally, we have developed several approaches using a fluorescently-labeled
fatty acid analogue to quantify the dynamics of lipid transport by lymphatics both in vivo and in
vitro and have evidence that lymphatic transport of lipid is not the passive process that it has been historically regarded to be.
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Date Issued
2013-01-08
Extent
57:43 minutes
Resource Type
Moving Image
Resource Subtype
Lecture