CD112 Supports Lymphatic Migration of Human Dermal Dendritic Cells

Dendritic cell (DC) migration from peripheral tissues via afferent lymphatic vessels to draining lymph nodes (dLNs) is important for the organism's immune regulation and immune protection. Several lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC)-expressed adhesion molecules have thus far been found to support transmigration and movement within the lymphatic vasculature. In this study, we investigated the contribution of CD112, an adhesion molecule that we recently found to be highly expressed in murine LECs, to this process. Performing in vitro assays in the murine system, we found that transmigration of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs) across or adhesion to murine LEC monolayers was reduced when CD112 was absent on LECs, DCs, or both cell types, suggesting the involvement of homophilic CD112-CD112 interactions. While CD112 was highly expressed in murine dermal LECs, CD112 levels were low in endogenous murine dermal DCs and BM-DCs. This might explain why we observed no defect in the in vivo lymphatic migration of adoptively transferred BM-DCs or endogenous DCs from the skin to dLNs. Compared to murine DCs, human monocyte-derived DCs expressed higher CD112 levels, and their migration across human CD112-expressing LECs was significantly reduced upon CD112 blockade. CD112 expression was also readily detected in endogenous human dermal DCs and LECs by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. Upon incubating human skin punch biopsies in the presence of CD112-blocking antibodies, DC emigration from the tissue into the culture medium was significantly reduced, indicating impaired lymphatic migration. Overall, our data reveal a contribution of CD112 to human DC migration.

Site-Specific Polyplex on CCR7 Down-Regulation and T Cell Elevation for Lymphatic Metastasis Blocking on Breast Cancer

Tumor metastasis contributes to high cancer mortality. Tumor cells in lymph nodes (LNs) are difficult to eliminate but underlie uncontrollable systemic metastasis. The CC chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) is overexpressed in tumor cells and interacts with CC chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21) secreted from LNs, potentiating their lymphatic migration. Here, a site-specific polyplex is developed to block the CCR7-CCL21 signal and kill tumor cells toward LNs, greatly limiting their lymphatic infiltration. A CCR7-targeting small interfering RNA (siCCR7) is condensed by mPEG-poly-(lysine) with chlorin e6 (Ce6) modification (PPLC) to form PPLC/siCCR7. The knockdown of CCR7 by siCCR7 in tumor cells significantly reduced their response on CCL21 and LN tropism. Additionally, photodynamic therapy-mediated immune activation precisely targets and kills tumor cells released from the primary foci before they reaches the LNs, reducing the number of tumor cells entering the LNs. Consequently, the PPLC/siCCR7 polyplexes inhibited up to 92% of lung metastasis in 4T1 tumor bearing mice and reduced tumor cell migration to LNs by up to 80%. This site-specific strategy optimized anti-metastasis efficacy and promotes the clinical translational development of anti-metastatic therapy.

A case report of retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy with lymphatic migration after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer: an explanation to embryo distant migration

OBJECTIVE

To present a rare case of retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy with lymphatic migration after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and propose the possible explanation for embryonic migration.

DESIGN

Illustrative video presentation. Images, videos (educational videos), and title slides were used to introduce the case of a patient with retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy with lymphatic migration after IVF-ET and provide a potential explanation for embryo distant migration in the patient. This work was approved by the institutional review board.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENT(S)

A 32-year-old woman (gravida 2, para 0) with a history of right salpingectomy was admitted to the hospital 40 days after IVF-ET because of ectopic pregnancy for 1 day; the patient had secondary infertility for 6 years. Gynecologic examination indicated anterior 40-day uterus with no tenderness. A preoperative B-mode ultrasound scan showed that the endometrium was 23 mm, and there was no acoustic image of the pregnant sac in the uterine cavity. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that 1 oval signal measuring approximately 30 × 28 × 35 mm was detected at the gap between the aorta anterior to the third lumbar vertebra and inferior vena cava. The inferior vena cava could be seen on the rear right of the gestational sac, and the abdominal aorta could be seen on the rear left.

INTERVENTION(S)

Retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy with lymphatic migration after IVF-ET was diagnosed using B-mode ultrasound, MRI, and pathology analysis and was removed laparoscopically.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Mechanism analysis of distant ectopic migration in a patient receiving IVF-ET with a history of tubal surgery.

RESULT(S)

The patient was diagnosed using B-mode ultrasound and MRI and underwent laparoscopic surgery to diagnose and remove the retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy tissue. Further, the pregnancy lesion was completely removed using an ultrasonic knife. The pathological examination showed that the pregnancy tissue was located inside an enlarged lymph node surrounded by lymphoid tissue, and lymphocyte infiltration was also seen in the endometrial tissue, suggesting that the implanted embryo migrated to the retroperitoneum through the lymphatic channels. The patient successfully conceived through IVF-ET 1 year after the operation, and a full-term neonate was delivered by cesarean section.

CONCLUSION(S)

This case reinforces that in patients with a history of tubal surgery, whether unilateral or bilateral, clinicians should pay more attention to the possibility of retroperitoneal pregnancy after IVF-ET and to the follow-up of such patients. The pathological examination report provided evidence that lymphatic migration may be the possible mechanism of retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy or embryonic migration after intrauterine placement.