title: Lymphatic transport of exosomes as a rapid route of information dissemination to the lymph node.
abstract: It is well documented that cells secrete exosomes, which can transfer biomolecules that impact recipient cells' functionality in a variety of physiologic and disease processes. The role of lymphatic drainage and transport of exosomes is as yet unknown, although the lymphatics play critical roles in immunity and exosomes are in the ideal size-range for lymphatic transport. Through in vivo near-infrared (NIR) imaging we have shown that exosomes are rapidly transported within minutes from the periphery to the lymph node by lymphatics. Using an in vitro model of lymphatic uptake, we have shown that lymphatic endothelial cells actively enhanced lymphatic uptake and transport of exosomes to the luminal side of the vessel. Furthermore, we have demonstrated a differential distribution of exosomes in the draining lymph nodes that is dependent on the lymphatic flow. Lastly, through endpoint analysis of cellular distribution of exosomes in the node, we identified macrophages and B-cells as key players in exosome uptake. Together these results suggest that exosome transfer by lymphatic flow from the periphery to the lymph node could provide a mechanism for rapid exchange of infection-specific information that precedes the arrival of migrating cells, thus priming the node for a more effective immune response.
authors.affiliation: School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.|Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Swetha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Srinivasan
authors.affiliation: School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.|Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Fredrik O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Vannberg
authors.affiliation: Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.|George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: J Brandon
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Dixon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000502:physiology; D055354:Exosomes / Q000502:physiology*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000502:physiology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C