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New and active role of the interstitium in control of interstitial fluid pressure: potential therapeutic consequences
Author(s) -
Wiig H.,
Rubin K.,
Reed R. K.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
acta anaesthesiologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1399-6576
pISSN - 0001-5172
DOI - 10.1034/j.1399-6576.2003.00050.x
Subject(s) - interstitial fluid , medicine , connective tissue , edema , extracellular matrix , extracellular fluid , inflammation , interstitial space , swelling , extracellular , microbiology and biotechnology , pathology , pharmacology , immunology , biology
Here we present recent data indicating that the present view of the interstitium as a passive fluid reservoir has to be revised. The connective tissue cells and extracellular matrix have a role in the control of P if and a fundamental role in the rapid development of edema in burns and in the initial swelling in inflammation by generating a lowering of interstitial fluid pressure. In this process, the β 1 ‐integrin system seems to provide a common pathway by which the cells can lower as well as raise P if . Inflammatory swelling can be reversed by endo‐ and exogenous substances, thereby suggesting that the connective tissue can serve as a novel target for pharmacological intervention. Furthermore, the new knowledge in interstitial physiology on means to reduce interstitial fluid pressure may be of importance for drug delivery into solid tumors, where a high P if limits the uptake of therapeutic agents.