[PERSPECTIVES] Lymphatic Clearance and Pump Function

Jerome W. Breslin Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA Correspondence: breslinusf.edu

Lymphatic vessels have an active role in draining excess interstitial fluid from organs and serving as conduits for immune cell trafficking to lymph nodes. In the central circulation, the force needed to propel blood forward is generated by the heart. In contrast, lymphatic vessels rely on intrinsic vessel contractions in combination with extrinsic forces for lymph propulsion. The intrinsic pumping features phasic contractions generated by lymphatic smooth muscle. Periodic, bicuspid valves composed of endothelial cells prevent backflow of lymph. This work provides a brief overview of lymph transport, including initial lymph formation along with cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling lymphatic vessel pumping.

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