1. Nat. Rev. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. doi:10.1038/nrgastro.2017.79
Figure 6 Schematic depiction of the role of intestinal lymphatic vessel dysfunction in gut pathology
Figure 6 | Schematic depiction of the role of intestinal lymphatic vessel dysfunction in gut pathology. Lymphatic capillary hypoplasia or hyperplasia, defective cell–cell junctions in capillaries or collecting lymphatic vessels and smooth muscle cell (SMC) or valve defects in collecting lymphatic vessels are expected to lead to one or more of the following problems: gut wall oedema and accumulation of lamina propria chylomicrons; defective transport of antigens and immune cells to the mesenteric lymph node; defective transport of dietary lipids; accumulation of immune cells; development of ectopic adipose tissue; and disruption of intestinal epithelial barrier. Chylomicron and microbial components such as free fatty acids, Toll-like receptor ligands and inflammatory mediators produced by immune cells and other stromal cells, such as adipocytes, might further exacerbate the lymphatic vascular dysfunction, affect function of intestinal blood vessels and maintain a vicious circle of chronic inflammation and tissue fibrosis, such as that suggested for Crohn's disease179. The systemic effects of dysfunctional gut lymphatics are not understood.
Bernier-Latmani, J. & Petrova, T. V. (2017) Intestinal lymphatic vasculature: structure, mechanisms and functions
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