Microparticle image velocimetry approach to flow measurements in isolated contracting lymphatic vessels

We describe the development of an optical flow visualization method for resolving the flow velocity vector field in lymphatic vessels, in vitro. The aim is to develop an experimental protocol for accurately estimating flow parameters, such as flow rate and shear stresses, with high spatial and temporal resolution. Previous studies in situ have relied on lymphocytes as tracers, but their low density resulted in a reduced spatial resolution whereas the assumption that the flow was fully developed in order to determine the flow parameters of interest may not be valid, especially in the vicinity of the valves, where the flow is undoubtedly more complex. To overcome these issues, we have applied the time-resolved micro-Particle Image Velocimetry technique, a well-established method that can provide increased spatial and temporal resolution that this transient flow demands. To that end, we have developed a custom light source, utilizing high-power light-emitting diodes, and associated control and image processing software. This manuscript reports the performance of the system and the results of a series of preliminary experiments performed on vessels isolated from rat mesenteries, demonstrating, for the first time, the successful application of the micro-PIV technique in these vessels

Inhibition of myosin light chain phosphorylation decreases rat mesenteric lymphatic contractile activity

Muscular lymphatics use both phasic and tonic contractions to transport lymph for conducting their vital functions. The molecular mechanisms regulating lymphatic muscle contractions are not well understood. Based on the well-established finding that the phosphorylation of myosin light chain 20 (MLC20) plays an essential role in blood vessel smooth muscle contraction, we investigated if phosphorylated MLC20 (pMLC20) would modulate the tonic and/or phasic contractions of lymphatic muscle. The effects of ML-7, a MLC kinase inhibitor (1–10 μM), were tested on the contractile parameters of isolated and cannulated rat mesenteric lymphatics during their responses to the known modulators, pressure (1–5 cmH2O) and substance P (SP; 10−7 M). Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses of pMLC20 were also performed on isolated lymphatics. The results showed that 1) increasing pressure decreased both the lymphatic tonic contraction strength and pMLC20-to-MLC20 ratio; 2) SP increased both the tonic contraction strength and phosphorylation of MLC20; 3) ML-7 decreased both the lymphatic tonic contraction strength and pMLC20-to-MLC20 ratio; and 4) the increase in lymphatic phasic contraction frequency in response to increasing pressure was diminished by ML-7; however, the phasic contraction amplitude was not significantly altered by ML-7 either in the absence or presence of SP. These data provide the first evidence that tonic contraction strength and phasic contraction amplitude of the lymphatics can be differentially regulated, whereby the increase in MLC20 phosphorylation produces an activation in the tonic contraction without significant changes in the phasic contraction amplitude. Thus, tonic contraction of rat mesenteric lymphatics appears to be MLC kinase dependent