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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2014 Jan 1.
Published in final edited form as: Wiley Interdiscip Rev Syst Biol Med. 2012 Dec 3;5(1):111–124. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1201

FIGURE 2. Lymphatic Contraction.

FIGURE 2

This illustration of the diastolic and systolic phases of an autonomous lymphatic contraction shows the NO dependency. In the diastolic phase, local NO release allows for the relaxation of the vessel wall and filling to occur. As the NO degrades, the vessel constricts, driving flow into the next lymphangion. It is hypothesized that the increase in flow and shear stress as a result of a contraction, stimulates NO production, allowing the diastolic filling to occur. The spatial and temporal gradients of NO are critical to proper contraction function and are mediated by eNOS in LECs.