Small numbers of CD4(+) T cells can induce development of lymphedema Journal Article
| Authors: | Ly, C. L.; Cuzzone, D. A.; Kataru, R. P.; Mehrara, B. J. |
| Article Title: | Small numbers of CD4(+) T cells can induce development of lymphedema |
| Abstract: | Background: CD4(+) T cells have been implicated in the pathology of lymphedema. Interestingly, however, there have been case reports of lymphedema development in patients with low levels of CD4(+) T cells because of immunosuppression. In this study, the authors sought to delineate the effect of relative CD4+ T-cell deficiency on the development of lymphedema in a mouse model. Methods: A mouse model of relative CD4(+) T-cell deficiency was created through lethal total body irradiation of wild-type mice that then underwent bone marrow transplantation with progenitors harvested from CD4 knockout mice (wild-type/CD4 knockout). Irradiated CD4 knockout mice reconstituted with wild-type mouse-derived progenitors (CD4 knockout/wild-type), and unirradiated CD4 knockout and wild-type mice were used as controls. All mice underwent tail skin and lymphatic excision to induce lymphedema, and analysis was performed 6 weeks later. Results: Wild-type/CD4 knockout chimeras were not protected from developing lymphedema. Despite a global deficit in CD4(+) T cells, these mice had swelling, fibrosis, inflammation, and impaired lymphatic transport function indistinguishable from that in wild-type and CD4 knockout/wild-type mice. In contrast, unirradiated CD4 knockout mice had no features of lymphedema after lymphatic injury. Conclusions: Relatively small numbers of bone marrow and peripheral CD4(+) T cells are sufficient to induce the development of lymphedema. These findings suggest that lymphatic injury results in expansion of CD4(+) T-cell populations in lymphedematous tissues. |
| Keywords: | risk; lymphatic regeneration; expression; arm lymphedema |
| Journal Title: | Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |
| Volume: | 143 |
| Issue: | 3 |
| ISSN: | 0032-1052 |
| Publisher: | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |
| Date Published: | 2019-03-01 |
| Start Page: | 518e |
| End Page: | 526e |
| Language: | English |
| ACCESSION: | WOS:000459804400007 |
| DOI: | 10.1097/prs.0000000000005322 |
| PROVIDER: | wos |
| PMCID: | PMC6395505 |
| PUBMED: | 30601329 |
| Notes: | Source: Wos |
Altmetric
Citation Impact
BMJ Impact Analytics
Related MSK Work