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0:00
Hello. My name is Jorge
Castorena-Gonzalez.
I am an Associate Professor and
Member of the Tulane
Cancer Center at
Tulane University
School of Medicine
in the Department
of Pharmacology.
My expertise and research
are in understanding
the mechanisms that regulate
lymphatic system function
and dysfunction.
In this lecture, I
will talk to you about
lymphatic system dysfunction
in obesity and metabolism.
0:25
The lymphatic system is part
of the circulatory system,
and in the most general concept,
it can be described as
a transport system.
Some of the major functions
of the lymphatic system are:
it absorbs, transports,
and returns
excess interstitial fluid
back into the central veins,
provides a main route for
immune cell trafficking and
therefore plays a critical
role in immunity.
It also absorbs and
transports nutrients.
In particular, dietary lipids
and fat-soluble vitamins.
In contrast to the
blood circulation,
the lymphatic system is
not a closed system.
It begins with
lymphatic capillaries
or initial lymphatics
that uptake fluid.
Fluid is then transported
through a network of
interconnected lymph nodes
via larger collecting
lymphatic vessels before it's
returned into the central veins.
1:15
Endothelial cell-to-cell
junctions play
a fundamental role in regulating
interstitial fluid uptake
in the lymphatic capillaries and
the modulation of
lymphatic permeability
in larger lymphatic vessels.
Cell-to-cell junctions between
capillary lymphatic
endothelial cells
are discontinuous
and button-like.
This facilitates the uptake
of interstitial fluid,
macromolecules and the migration
of immune cells into
the lymphatic networks.
In collecting lymphatic vessels,
junctions between lymphatic
endothelial cells
are continuous and zipper-like.
The lymphatic
endothelial cell layer
is surrounded by a
basement membrane and
a single layer of
lymphatic muscle cells
displaying strong
electrical coupling.
Lymphatic muscle cells
are responsible for
the spontaneous and strong
contractions of these vessels.
Interstitial fluid is
more than just water.
