Method for the quantitative measurement of collecting lymphatic vessel contraction in mice

摘要: Collecting lymphatic vessels are critical for the transport of lymph and its cellular contents to nodes both immune surveillance maintenance tissue-fluid balance. drive flow by autonomous contraction smooth muscle cells that cover these vessels. Here we describe methods using intravital microscopy image quantify collecting vessel in mice. Our allow measurement strength an individual lymphangion a mouse, which has not yet been demonstrated other published methods. The ability study murine contraction—using described here or recently techniques—allows field dissect molecular mechanisms controlling pumping under normal pathological conditions wide variety tools genetic models available mouse. We have used our physiological inflammatory conditions. will facilitate further function feature complications.