Obesity Impairs Lymphatic Fluid Transport and Dendritic Cell Migration to Lymph Nodes Journal Article


Authors: Weitman, E. S.; Aschen, S. Z.; Farias Eisner, G.; Albano, N.; Cuzzone, D. A.; Ghanta, S.; Zampell, J. C.; Thorek, D.; Mehrara, B. J.
Article Title: Obesity Impairs Lymphatic Fluid Transport and Dendritic Cell Migration to Lymph Nodes
Abstract: Introduction:Obesity is a major cause of morbidity and mortality resulting in pathologic changes in virtually every organ system. Although the cardiovascular system has been a focus of intense study, the effects of obesity on the lymphatic system remain essentially unknown. The purpose of this study was to identify the pathologic consequences of diet induced obesity (DIO) on the lymphatic system.Methods:Adult male wild-type or RAG C57B6-6J mice were fed a high fat (60%) or normal chow diet for 8-10 weeks followed by analysis of lymphatic transport capacity. In addition, we assessed migration of dendritic cells (DCs) to local lymph nodes, lymph node architecture, and lymph node cellular make up.Results:High fat diet resulted in obesity in both wild-type and RAG mice and significantly impaired lymphatic fluid transport and lymph node uptake; interestingly, obese wild-type but not obese RAG mice had significantly impaired migration of DCs to the peripheral lymph nodes. Obesity also resulted in significant changes in the macro and microscopic anatomy of lymph nodes as reflected by a marked decrease in size of inguinal lymph nodes (3.4-fold), decreased number of lymph node lymphatics (1.6-fold), loss of follicular pattern of B cells, and dysregulation of CCL21 expression gradients. Finally, obesity resulted in a significant decrease in the number of lymph node T cells and increased number of B cells and macrophages.Conclusions:Obesity has significant negative effects on lymphatic transport, DC cell migration, and lymph node architecture. Loss of T and B cell inflammatory reactions does not protect from impaired lymphatic fluid transport but preserves DC migration capacity. Future studies are needed to determine how the interplay between diet, obesity, and the lymphatic system modulate systemic complications of obesity. © 2013 Weitman et al.
Journal Title: PLoS ONE
Volume: 8
Issue: 8
ISSN: 1932-6203
Publisher: Public Library of Science  
Date Published: 2013-08-12
Start Page: e70703
Language: English
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070703
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC3741281
PUBMED: 23950984
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Export Date: 4 September 2013" - "CODEN: POLNC" - "Source: Scopus"
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MSK Authors
  1. Babak Mehrara
    448 Mehrara
  2. Daniel Thorek
    20 Thorek
  3. Jamie Christine Zampell
    29 Zampell
  4. Evan Scott Weitman
    18 Weitman
  5. Seth Aschen
    14 Aschen
  6. Nicholas James Albano
    19 Albano
  7. Daniel Adam Cuzzone
    24 Cuzzone
  8. Swapna Ghanta
    19 Ghanta