The Role of Lymphatics in Intestinal Inflammation

"Lymphatic vascular defects have been revealed in inflammatory diseases, Crohn’s disease, obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. In this review, we discuss lymphatic structure and function within the gut, such as dietary lipid absorption, the transport of antigens and immune cells to lymph nodes, peripheral tolerance, and lymphocyte migration from secondary lymphoid tissues to the lymphatics and the immune systems.

The lymphatic vasculature plays a major role in transporting antigens, immune cell trafficking, and lipid absorption. The lymphatic vasculature in the inflamed mucosa controls inflammation through the clearance of inflammatory cells. LECs [Lymphatic Endothelial Cells] in LNs [Lymph Nodes] are involved in peripheral tolerance rather than T cell activation. In CD [Crohn's Disease], impaired lymphatic conduction and pumping may be involved in the pathophysiology of chronic refractory disease. Overall, these results reveal that therapeutics targeting lymphatic function improvement are a novel and promising approach for treating intestinal inflammatory diseases, including IBD."

NOTE: The paper also mentions that, "exercise improves lymphatic contractile function."

Source: Inflammation and Regeneration