AUTHOR=Schwartz Noa , Chalasani Madhavi Latha S. , Li Thomas M. , Feng Zhonghui , Shipman William D. , Lu Theresa T. 

TITLE=Lymphatic Function in Autoimmune Diseases

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2019.00519

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2019.00519

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p>Lymphatic vessels are critical for clearing fluid and inflammatory cells from inflamed tissues and also have roles in immune tolerance. Given the functional association of the lymphatics with the immune system, lymphatic dysfunction may contribute to the pathophysiology of rheumatic autoimmune diseases. Here we review the current understanding of the role of lymphatics in the autoimmune diseases rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, lupus, and dermatomyositis and consider the possibility that manual therapies such as massage and acupuncture may be useful in improving lymphatic function in autoimmune diseases.</p>