Wilting Jörg, Becker Jürgen
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medical School Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
Cell Biosci. 2022 Sep 15;12(1):157. doi: 10.1186/s13578-022-00898-0.
Almost 400 years after the (re)discovery of the lymphatic vascular system (LVS) by Gaspare Aselli (Asellius G. De lactibus, sive lacteis venis, quarto vasorum mesaraicorum genere, novo invento Gasparis Asellii Cremo. Dissertatio. (MDCXXIIX), Milan; 1628.), structure, function, development and evolution of this so-called 'second' vascular system are still enigmatic. Interest in the LVS was low because it was (and is) hardly visible, and its diseases are not as life-threatening as those of the blood vascular system. It is not uncommon for patients with lymphedema to be told that yes, they can live with it. Usually, the functions of the LVS are discussed in terms of fluid homeostasis, uptake of chylomicrons from the gut, and immune cell circulation. However, the broad molecular equipment of lymphatic endothelial cells suggests that they possess many more functions, which are also reflected in the pathophysiology of the system. With some specific exceptions, lymphatics develop in all organs. Although basic structure and function are the same regardless their position in the body wall or the internal organs, there are important site-specific characteristics. We discuss common structure and function of lymphatics; and point to important functions for hyaluronan turn-over, salt balance, coagulation, extracellular matrix production, adipose tissue development and potential appetite regulation, and the influence of hypoxia on the regulation of these functions. Differences with respect to the embryonic origin and molecular equipment between somatic and splanchnic lymphatics are discussed with a side-view on the phylogeny of the LVS. The functions of the lymphatic vasculature are much broader than generally thought, and lymphatic research will have many interesting and surprising aspects to offer in the future.
在加斯帕雷·阿塞利（阿塞利乌斯·G.《论乳汁，或乳静脉，肠系膜血管的第四种类型，加斯帕雷·阿塞利·克雷莫新发现》。论文。（1628年），米兰）重新发现淋巴血管系统（LVS）近400年后，这个所谓的“第二”血管系统的结构、功能、发育和进化仍然是个谜。对LVS的研究兴趣较低，因为它过去（现在也是）很难被观察到，而且其疾病不像血管系统疾病那样危及生命。患有淋巴水肿的患者被告知他们可以与之共存的情况并不少见。通常，LVS的功能是从液体稳态、从肠道摄取乳糜微粒以及免疫细胞循环的角度来讨论的。然而，淋巴管内皮细胞广泛的分子装备表明它们具有更多功能，这也反映在该系统的病理生理学中。除了一些特定的例外情况，淋巴管在所有器官中都会发育。尽管无论在体壁还是内脏中的位置如何，其基本结构和功能都是相同的，但仍存在重要的部位特异性特征。我们讨论淋巴管的共同结构和功能；指出透明质酸周转、盐平衡、凝血、细胞外基质产生、脂肪组织发育和潜在食欲调节的重要功能，以及缺氧对这些功能调节的影响。还讨论了体壁和内脏淋巴管在胚胎起源和分子装备方面的差异，并从侧面审视了LVS的系统发育。淋巴血管系统的功能比一般认为的要广泛得多，未来淋巴研究将有许多有趣和令人惊讶的方面。
