Reconstruction of the lymphatic system by transplantation of a centrifuge-based bioengineered lymphatic tissue

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

The increase in cancer incidence has accelerated the need for secondary lymphedema treatments after lymphadenectomy (LD) because lymph nodes cannot be regenerated. We demonstrate that bioengineered tissues with a lymphatic network containing lymphatic endothelial cells and mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) fabricated by a centrifugal cell stacking technique effectively treat secondary lymphedema. Centrifuge-based bioengineered lymphatic tissues (CeLyTs) with MSCs outside the tissue, prepared using mouse or human cells, survive long after transplantation and restore lymphatic flow in LD mice. CeLyTs transplanted into LD mice form a lymph node-like structure and suppress lymphedema in LD mice for 100 days post-transplantation, in contrast to conventional standard treatments including compression therapy. Lymph node-like structures composed of transplant- and host-derived cells, including immune cells, generate immune responses to an immunostimulant CpG1018. Here we show CeLyTs composed of lymphatic endothelial cells and MSCs reconstruct a lymph node and may represent a promising therapy for secondary lymphedema.

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

Browse all related research

Filter the research library by this study's title keywords, author, or publication year.