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Changes in high endothelial venules in lymph nodes after vascularized and nonvascularized lymph node transfer in a murine autograft model
Author(s) -
Ishikawa Kosuke,
Funayama Emi,
Maeda Taku,
Hayashi Toshihiko,
Murao Naoki,
Osawa Masayuki,
Ito Riri,
Furukawa Hiroshi,
Oyama Akihiko,
Yamamoto Yuhei
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.25365
Subject(s) - medicine , lymph , lymphatic system , lymphedema , high endothelial venules , lymph node , afferent , lymphangiogenesis , immunohistochemistry , h&e stain , anatomy , pathology , metastasis , cancer , breast cancer
Background and objectives Vascularized lymph node transfer (LNT) is gaining popularity in the treatment of lymphedema. However, it is unclear whether the vascularization of transferred lymph nodes (LNs) contributes to functional improvement. High endothelial venules (HEVs) are specialized vessels that allow lymphocytes to enter LNs. In this study, we compared the numbers of HEVs and lymphocytes in LNs after vascularized and nonvascularized LNT. Methods Fifty mice were divided into three groups (group 1, pedicled vascularized LNT; group 2, pedicled nonvascularized LNT; group 3, free nonvascularized LNT). Afferent lymphatic reconnection was confirmed by patent blue staining. The transferred LNs were harvested 4 weeks after surgery. HEVs, B‐cells, and T‐cells were subjected to immunohistochemical staining and quantified. Results Afferent lymphatic reconnection was observed in 13 of 20 transferred LNs in group 1, 11 of 15 in group 2, and 7 of 15 in group 3. The ratio of dilated/total HEVs in transferred LNs with afferent lymphatic reconnection was significantly higher in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. No significant differences in numbers of B‐cells and T‐cells were found in the transferred LNs. Conclusions We found that more functional HEVs were preserved in cases with successful afferent lymphatic reconnection after vascularized LNT than after nonvascularized LNT.