Circulating Dendritic Cells with their Dual Function are the Link Connecting Lymphatic Tissue and Brain

Abstract

Aims: The objective of the paper is to reveal the sources in which the data about the main characteristics of the DCs have been shown and prove the theses of the “Theory of Duality of Protective Systems” (TDPS) formulated earlier. Study Design: To compare the own DCs data with later DCs data of other authors. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Human Anatomy of Novosibirsk State Medical University and Scientific Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology, Novosibirsk, between December 1986 and November 1998. Methodology: DCs were obtained from central lymph of thoracic duct (cistern chyle), intestinal and liver lymph, bone morrow, thymus, spleen, mesenteric lymph, adrenal, palatine tonsils and CNS/brain of general anesthetized rabbits and rats. The cistern chyle, liver and mesenteric lymphatic vessels were punctured with original glass micropipettes. Scrapes specimens from the organs (as smears) were studied by light and electronic microscopes. Percentage of DCs was calculated. Results: The DCs migrate from different organs of lymphatic/immune systems, periphery blood, skin, mucous membranes and brain to lymphatic drainage, then into blood via thoracic duct. The data induced the author to formulate the TDPS. The theses of TDPS are: 1. Lymphatic and immune systems guard an organism against any antigen and at the same time defend antigen structures of the organism, the brain. 2. These functions and the relation of the systems with brain are realized by DCs. DCs of lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, adrenal, red marrow, palatine tonsils, skin and brain are the same as DCs of peripheral and central lymph. The DCs migrate from different organs of the systems, periphery blood, skin, mucous membranes and brain to lymphatic drainage, then to blood. Thus, they circulate. 3. The DCs of central lymph are a special system, which plays an important role in regulation of homeostasis. Conclusion: The TDPS formulated in 1998 is proved by modern research.