Lymphatics: At the Interface of Immunity, Tolerance, and Tumor Metastasis

Please cite this paper as: Shields (2011). Lymphatics: At the Interface of Immunity, Tolerance, and Tumor Metastasis. Microcirculation 18(7), 517–531. The lymphatic system has long been accepted as a passive escape route for metastasizing tumor cells. The classic view that lymphatics solely regulate...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Microcirculation (New York, N.Y. 1994) N.Y. 1994), 2011-10, Vol.18 (7), p.517-531
Main Author: SHIELDS, JACQUELINE D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
chemokine
Humans
Immune Tolerance
lymphatic
Lymphatic System - immunology
Lymphatic System - pathology
Neoplasm Metastasis
Neoplasms - immunology
Neoplasms - pathology
tumor
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Please cite this paper as: Shields (2011). Lymphatics: At the Interface of Immunity, Tolerance, and Tumor Metastasis. Microcirculation 18(7), 517–531. The lymphatic system has long been accepted as a passive escape route for metastasizing tumor cells. The classic view that lymphatics solely regulate fluid balance, lipid metabolism, and immune cell trafficking to the LN is now being challenged. Research in the field is entering a new phase with increasing evidence suggesting that lymphatics play an active role modulating inflammation, autoimmune disease, and the anti‐tumor immune response. Evidence exists to suggest that the lymphatics and chemokines guide LN bi‐functionally, driving immunity vs. tolerance according to demand. At sites of chronic inflammation, autoimmunity, and tumors, however, the same chemokines and aberrant lymphangiogenesis foster disease progression. These caveats point to the existence of a complex, finely balanced relationship between lymphatics and the immune system in health and disease. This review discusses emerging concepts in the fields of immunology, tumor biology, and lymphatic physiology, identifying critical, overlapping functions of lymphatics, the LN and lymphoid factors in tipping the balance of immunity vs. tolerance in favor of a growing tumor.
ISSN:1073-9688
1549-8719
DOI:10.1111/j.1549-8719.2011.00113.x