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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2016 Jan 31.
Published in final edited form as: Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2014 Dec 19;38:83–89. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2014.11.012

Figure 1. Initial lymphatic vessels, collecting lymphatic vessels and the draining lymph node.

Figure 1

A. Schematic figure of lymphatic system, including initial lymphatic vessels, collecting lymphatic vessel and the draining lymph node. Within the lymph node, fibroblastic reticular cells and high endothelial cells express CCL21 and CCL19 to attract T cells and dendritic cells at the paracortex area of lymph node. The lymph node conduit system, composed of collagen fibers, forms a scaffold to support lymph node architecture and facilitate quick fluid trafficking within the lymph node.

B. Initial lymphatic vessel and collecting lymphatic vessel. The initial lymphatic vessels have oak-leaves shaped cell junctions (Button pattern). Collecting lymphatics have continuous junction molecules and basement membrane and organized smooth muscle cell coverage. Organized smooth muscle coverage in collecting lymphatics allows phasic lymphatic contractions to propel lymph through lymphatic vessels.

C. The button shaped cell junction form lymphatic portals between lymphatic endothelial cells, which allows easy access of fluid and cells. Chemokine CCL21 expressed on lymphatic endothelial cell attract cells to lymphatic vessels and facilitate cell trans-lymphatic endothelial cell migration.