Cell traffic and the lymphatic endothelium.

The principal immune function of the afferent lymphatics is to bear antigen and leukocytes from peripheral tissues to the draining lymph nodes. Recent research has shown that passage of leukocytes into the afferent lymphatic capillaries is far from an indolent process; rather it is carefully orchestrated by an array of adhesion molecules, as well as by chemokines and their receptors. Here we review the current knowledge of leukocyte trans-lymphatic endothelial migration and its role in the development of an immune response.