Multimodal Approaches to Uncover the Role of the Lymphatic System in Aging, Cancer Progression and Anti-Cancer Immunity

The lymphatic system absorbs interstitial fluid to create lymph and returns it to the blood in order to maintain tissue fluid balance. Lymph is also rich in immune information, so on its journey back to the blood, it passes through lymph nodes to regulate immune homeostasis. To do its job, the lymphatic system has different types of specialized lymphatic vessels. If these specialized vessels lose their functionality—often through a disease process— then tissue swelling and immune compromised tissue results. We will discuss mechanisms of how bacterial infections and aging can impair lymphatic function. The lymphatic system can also be used by cancer to spread to lymph nodes and in doing so, suppress anti-cancer immune responses. We will also discuss mechanisms of immune suppression in metastatic lymph nodes and how the spread of antigen to alternate draining lymph nodes following disruption of lymphatic vessels can maintain immunotherapy responses. Hosted by: Prof. Melody Swartz