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Three-Dimensional Imaging of the Vertebral Lymphatic Vasculature and Drainage using iDISCO+ and Light Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy
Published on: May 22, 2020
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Structural and functional features of central nervous system lymphatic vessels
Antoine Louveau1, Igor Smirnov1, Timothy J Keyes1
11] Center for Brain Immunology and Glia, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA [2] Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA.
Nature
|June 2, 2015
Summary
Researchers discovered functional lymphatic vessels in the brain's meninges, challenging the long-held belief of absent central nervous system (CNS) lymphatic drainage. This finding impacts neuroimmunology and understanding of CNS diseases.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Vascular Biology
- Central Nervous System (CNS) Research
Background:
- The central nervous system (CNS) was traditionally considered to lack a classical lymphatic drainage system.
- Immune surveillance within the meninges is recognized, but mechanisms for immune cell entry/exit remain unclear.
- Understanding immune cell trafficking is crucial for CNS health and disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify T-cell gateways into and out of the meninges.
- To investigate the presence and function of lymphatic vasculature within the CNS.
- To re-evaluate existing concepts in neuroimmunology based on new anatomical findings.
Main Methods:
- Exploration of meningeal vasculature, specifically focusing on dural sinuses.
- Molecular characterization of identified endothelial cells.
- Assessment of fluid and immune cell transport capabilities.
- Tracing connections to deep cervical lymph nodes.
Main Results:
- Discovery of functional lymphatic vessels lining the dural sinuses of the CNS.
- These vessels exhibit molecular markers characteristic of lymphatic endothelial cells.
- They demonstrate the capacity to transport cerebrospinal fluid and immune cells.
- Connection established between these meningeal lymphatics and deep cervical lymph nodes.
Conclusions:
- The CNS possesses a functional lymphatic drainage system located in the meninges, challenging prior assumptions.
- This discovery necessitates a reassessment of fundamental principles in neuroimmunology.
- The CNS lymphatic system offers new insights into the pathogenesis of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.
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