for Comparative Cardiovascular Science and Biomedical Devices
Lymphatic Initiative
Over 60 million Americans currently suffer from cardiovascular disease incurring an annual cost of over $350 billion. A primary contributor to organ dysfunction and death in these patients is interstitial edema formation – an accumulation of excess tissue fluid in organs such as the lung, heart, liver and intestines. The most important mechanism for resolving this organ edema is removal of excess fluid by the lymphatic system, a vascular network functioning in parallel with the general circulation.
Fluid transport by lymphatic vessels has garnered the interest of numerous investigators because it is important for normal immune system function (localization of cancerous tumors) and normal nutrition (fat metabolism). However, there has been a relative dearth of investigation focusing on the critical role of lymphatic transport in the maintenance of normal tissue fluid volume and resolution of edema. Although increasing the rate of lymph transport by the lymphatic vessels is recognized as the key to treating patients suffering organ edema, this clinical goal has yet to be realized.
Although there have been major advances
in science of fluid transport in the lymphatic system, the advances in
clinical treatment options have been minor. We can identify the
fundamental cause of this imbalance: the disease process results from a
complex interaction of several properties that have typically been
studied in isolation. Texas A&M
University is poised to correct this imbalance, because we have world-class experts
in lymphatic function, mechanobiology and biomechanics. Furthermore, we
have a unique approach to integrating basic advances in the life
sciences, integrating the activities of life science investigators, and
translating these scientific advances to novel clinical treatments.
In Vitro Studies
Example of pumping bovine mesenteric lymphatic vessel (.wmf)
Computational Modeling
Simple model of lymphatic vessel segment to predict pressure and flow.
Recent posters from Experimental Biology 2003 (PowerPoint):
QUICK LINKS
MedLine
Animal Use and Welfare
Medical Sciences Library
Giving to the Institute
Lymphatic Initiative
