| Molecular regulation of lymphatic contractility. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 18519962 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The lymphatic system plays critical roles in body fluid and macromolecular homeostasis, lipid absorption, immune function, and metastasis. To accomplish these tasks, the lymphatics must move lymph and its contents from the interstitial space through the lymph vessels and nodes and into the great veins. Contrary to popular belief, lymph does not passively "drain" down this pathway, because the net pressure gradients oppose flow. Instead, the lymphatics must act as both the conduits that direct and regulate lymph flow and the pumps that generate the lymph flow. Thus, to regulate lymph transport and function, both lymphatic pumping and flow resistance must be controlled. Both of these processes occur via regulation of lymphatic muscle contractions, which are classically thought to occur via the interaction of cell calcium with regulatory and contractile proteins. However, our knowledge of this regulation of lymphatic contractile function is far from complete. In this chapter we review our understanding of the important molecular mechanisms, the calcium regulation, and the contractile/regulatory proteins that control lymphatic contractions. A better understanding of these mechanisms could provide the basis for the development of better diagnostic and treatment modalities for lymphatic dysfunction. While progress has been made in our understanding of the molecular biology of lymphangiogenesis as a result of the development of potential lymphangiogenic therapeutic targets, there are currently no therapeutic agents that specifically modulate lymphatic pump function and lymph flow via lymphatic muscle. However, their development will not be possible until the molecular basis of lymphatic contractility is more fully understood. |
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Authors:
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Mariappan Muthuchamy; David Zawieja |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Review |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Volume: 1131 ISSN: 0077-8923 ISO Abbreviation: Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. Publication Date: 2008 |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2008-06-03 Completed Date: 2008-07-03 Revised Date: 2011-02-21 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 7506858 Medline TA: Ann N Y Acad Sci Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 89-99 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Systems Biology and Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute Division of Lymphatic Biology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX 77843-1114, USA. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Endothelium, Lymphatic / cytology, physiology Humans Lymph / physiology* Lymphatic System / physiology* Muscle Contraction / physiology* |
| Grant Support | |
ID/Acronym/Agency:
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HL07688/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS; HL080526/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS; HL75199/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS; K02HL086650/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS; R01 HL070308-06/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS; R21 HL085659-01A2/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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