FIGURE 3.

Aging causes decreases in dendritic cell (DC) migration and lymphatic pumping and increased leakiness in lymphatic vessels. (A) Representative dot plots of FITC+/CD11c+ DCs from deep cervical lymph nodes (which drain ear skin) after FITC painting of the ear skin. (B) Quantification of FITC+ DCs as a percentage of CD45+ cells from cervical lymph nodes. (C) Quantification total number of FITC+ DCs per lymph node. n = 6 mice per group from two independent experiments. (D) Representative hind limb ICG lymphangiography NIR images showing hind limb collecting lymphatic vessels, dermal backflow, and dye pooling (arrows) in aged mice. (E) Graphical representation of ICG intensity peaks plotted against time in hind limbs of young and aged mice. (F) Quantification of the number of lymphatic pulses per minute in young and aged mice. (G) Quantification of dye pooling, which represents dermal backflow. n = 5–7 mice per group from two independent experiments. (H) Representative confocal images of whole-mounted ear skin from young and aged mice showing FITC-lectin leakage in lymphatic vessels. (I) Quantification of FITC-lectin leakage (total FITC-lectin-containing area). n = 5 mice per group. All quantifications are mean ± SD, unpaired Student’s t test.