The role of lymphatic vessels is to transport fluid, soluble molecules, and immune cells to the draining lymph nodes. Here, we analyze how the aging process affects the functionality of the lymphatic collectors and the dynamics of lymph flow. Ultrastructural, biochemical, and proteomic analysis indicates a loss of matrix proteins, and smooth muscle cells in aged collectors resulting in a decrease in contraction frequency, systolic lymph flow velocity, and pumping activity, as measured in vivo in lymphatic collectors. Functionally, this impairment also translated into a reduced ability for in vivo bacterial transport as determined by time-lapse microscopy. Ultrastructural and proteomic analysis also indicates a decrease in the thickness of the endothelial cell glycocalyx and loss of gap junction proteins in aged lymph collectors. Redox proteomic analysis mapped an aging-related increase in the glycation and carboxylation of lymphatic’s endothelial cell and matrix proteins. Functionally, these modifications translate into apparent hyperpermeability of the lymphatics with pathogen escaping from the collectors into the surrounding tissue and a decreased ability to control tissue fluid homeostasis. Altogether, our data provide a mechanistic analysis of how the anatomical and biochemical changes, occurring in aged lymphatic vessels, compromise lymph flow, tissue fluid homeostasis, and pathogen transport.

Objectives The knowledge of the basic principles of lymphatic function, still remains, to a large degree, rudimentary and will require significant research efforts. Recent studies of the physiology of the mesenteric lymphatic vessels (MLVs) suggested the presence of an endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) other than nitric oxide. In this study we tested the hypothesis that lymphatic endothelium-derived histamine relaxes MLVs. Methods We measured and analyzed parameters of lymphatic contractility in isolated and pressurized rat mesenteric lymphatic vessels under control conditions and after pharmacological blockade of nitric oxide by Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME, 100 μM) or/and histamine production by α-methyl-DL-histidine dihydrochloride (α-MHD, 10 μM). Effectiveness of α-MHD was confirmed immunohistochemically. We also used immunohistochemical labeling and western blot analysis of the histamine-producing enzyme, histidine decarboxylase (HDC). Additionally we blocked HDC protein expression in MLVs by transient transfection with vivo-morpholino oligos. Results We found that only combined pharmacological blockade of nitric oxide and histamine production completely eliminates flow-dependent relaxation of lymphatic vessels, thus confirming a role for histamine as an EDRF in MLVs. We also confirmed the presence of histidine decarboxylase and histamine inside lymphatic endothelial cells. Conclusions Our study supports a role for histamine as an EDRF in MLVs.

The traditional Japanese health care custom recommends that a suitable volume of water is consumed. However, physiological and immunological mechanisms in support of this practice are unknown. Therefore, we conducted rat and rabbit in vivo experiments to investigate the effects of intragastric administration of distilled water on the jejunal-originated lymph flow and the concentrations and total flux of cells, albumin, long-chain fatty acids, and innate lymphoid cell 3 (ILC-3)-secreted interleukin-22 (IL-22) through mesenteric lymph vessels. The distribution and activity of ILC-3 in rat small intestine by water intake were evaluated using flow cytometry and RT-PCR. The intragastric administration of distilled water caused significant increases in rat mesenteric lymph flow and in the total flux of cells, albumin, long-chain fatty acids, and IL-22 through the lymph vessels. Intravenously injected Evans blue dye was rapidly transported into rabbit mesenteric lymph vessel and cisterna chyli. The distribution of ILC-3 and the expression of IL-22 mRNA were maximal in the lamina propria cells of the rat jejunum. No significant presence of ILC-3 in the lymph was observed in the control and under water intake conditions. In conclusion, the absorbed water in the jejunum is transported through mesenteric lymph vessels. The higher permeability of albumin in the jejunal microcirculation may play key roles in the transport of consumed water and the reservoir and transporter of long-chain fatty acids. Water intake also accelerates the transfer of IL-22 to the mesenteric lymph, which may contribute, in part, to maintaining and promoting the innate immunity in the body. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The higher permeability of albumin-mediated transport of water-soluble substances in mesenteric lymph vessels of the jejunum may have a large impact on the classic concept suggesting that water-soluble small molecules travel to the liver via the portal vein. ILC-3 is mainly housed in the lamina propria of the jejunum, especially its upper part. IL-22 released from the ILC-3 is also transported through mesenteric lymph in collaboration with the albumin-mediated movement of consumed water.