title: The Lymphatic System: Integral Roles in Immunity.
abstract: The lymphatic vasculature is not considered a formal part of the immune system, but it is critical to immunity. One of its major roles is in the coordination of the trafficking of antigen and immune cells. However, other roles in immunity are emerging. Lymphatic endothelial cells, for example, directly present antigen or express factors that greatly influence the local environment. We cover these topics herein and discuss how other properties of the lymphatic vasculature, such as mechanisms of lymphatic contraction (which immunologists traditionally do not take into account), are nonetheless integral in the immune system. Much is yet unknown, and this nascent subject is ripe for exploration. We argue that to consider the impact of lymphatic biology in any given immunological interaction is a key step toward integrating immunology with organ physiology and ultimately many complex pathologies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110; email: grandolph@path.wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Gwendalyn J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Randolph
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110; email: grandolph@path.wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Stoyan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ivanov
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110; email: grandolph@path.wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Bernd H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Zinselmeyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612.
authors.forename: Joshua P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Scallan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D007109:Immunity; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000276:immunology*; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: adhesion; endothelium; lymph; lymph node; migration