Resumen

MAHIA VILAS, Miriam. The immune system in lymphedema and lymphangitis of the lower limbs. Rev Cubana Angiol Cir Vasc [online]. 2016, vol.17, n.2, pp.150-160. ISSN 1682-0037.

The immune system is the body´s mechanism of resistance to infections. The lymph system plays an important role in the physiological control of the tissue fluid and in the onset of the immune response. We intended to describe the function of the cell components of the immune system in the cancer-unrelated lymphopathies of the lower limbs such as lymphedema and lymphangitis. To this end, Pubmed, Medline, Scielo, Clinical Key, Liliacs, Ebsco and scientific articles published in Cuban medical journals from 2000 to 2015 were reviewed. The recent studies show that the growth of new lymphatic vessels is a distinctive characteristic of the acute and chronic inflammatory reactions of lymphopathies, mediated by increase of the fluid drainage outside the vessel and of inflammatory cells as well as the immune response modulations. It is urgent to continue studying this topic, mainly the behavior of the humoral and cell immunity in patients suffering from lymphedema or lymphangitis, since no research papers dealing with the possible relation between both aspects were found. It is suggested that the T-cell subpopulations are a key component of the chronic and sub-acute inflammatory response in lymphopaties. Hence, understanding of the regulating function of the lymph fluid in the inflammatory response may represent an important step in the development of therapies that might block the onset or progression of the anomalous consequences of lymphatic injures.

Palabras clave : Immune system; lymph system; lymphedema; lymphangitis; immunology.

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