Lymph Circulation in the Liver

Abstract

The liver produces a large amount of lymph, which is estimated to be 25 to 50 % of lymph flowing through the thoracic duct. The hepatic lymphatic system falls into three categories depending on their locations: portal, sublobular, and superficial lymphatic vessels. It is suggested that 80 % or more of hepatic lymph drains into portal lymphatic vessels, while the remainder drains through sublobular and capsular lymphatic vessels. The hepatic lymph primarily comes from the hepatic sinusoids. Our tracer studies, together with electron microscopy, show many channels with collagen fibers traversing through the limiting plate and connecting the space of Disse with the interstitial space either in the portal tracts, or around the sublobular veins. Fluid filtered out of the sinusoids into the space of Disse flows through the channels traversing the limiting plate either independently of blood vessels or along blood vessels and enters the interstitial space of either portal tract or sublobular veins. Fluid in the space of Disse also flows through similar channels traversing the hepatocytes intervening between the space of Disse and the hepatic capsule and drains into the interstitial space of the capsule. Fluid and migrating cells in the interstitial space pass through prelymphatic vessels to finally enter the lymphatic vessels. The area of the portal lymphatic vessels increases in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis and in idiopathic portal hypertension. Lymphatic vessels are abundant in the immediate vicinity of the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver metastasis. HCCs expressing vascular endothelial growth factor-C are more liable to metastasize, indicating that lymphangiogenesis is associated with their enhanced metastasis. Anat Rec,

The value of systematic lymph node dissection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma from the viewpoint of liver lymphatics

“…The liver produces a large amount of lymphatic fluid: approximately 1-3 l/day in a normal adult liver, which represents 25-50 % of the lymphatic fluid of the entire body [26]. Hepatic lymph fluid originates from the perisinusoidal space of Disse [24,26].…”

“…Hepatic lymph fluid originates from the perisinusoidal space of Disse [24,26]. This space is located between hepatocytes and the sinusoids, and contains mainly blood plasma and also hepatic stellate cells.…”

“…These periportal lymphatic vessels converge to 12-15 separate vessels at the hepatic hilum [24]. This periportal hepatic lymph flows in the same direction as bile, and 80 % or more of hepatic lymph drains through this periportal lymphatic system [26,28]. The efferent lymphatic vessels outside the liver communicate with hilar LNs and peripancreatic LNs and act as the first LN station [24,25,27].…”

Characterization of the liver-draining lymph nodes in mice and their role in mounting regional immunity to HBV

“…5 The hepatic lymphatic system is divided into three major components according to their locations: the portal, sublobular and superficial lymphatic vessels. Approximately 80% of hepatic lymph travels through the portal lymphatic vessels, while the remainder travels through the sublobular and capsular lymphatic vessels.…”

Angiogenesis: multiple masks in hepatocellular carcinoma and liver regeneration

“…The lymphatic microvessel density showed a trend toward association with reduced survival and represents an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival, indicating that the role of lymphangiogenesis for tumor progression in HCC is related to the risk of recurrence rather than to local tumor growth [98]. Lymphangiogenesis is mainly regulated by the VEGF-C/VEGF-D/VEGFR-3 system [99][100][101][102], however, not much is known about the role of this signaling system in the lymphangiogenesis of HCC.…”