Mouse Brain Lymphatic Vessels

This study provides evidence of lymphatic vessels in the mouse brain, specifically in the cortex, thalamus, and hippocampus. Using confocal microscopy, Western blotting, and real-time PCR, lymphatic vessels were identified by the expression of Lyve1, Prox1, and VEGFC, alongside endothelial markers CD31 and CD34. Paraffin-embedded brain slices from wild-type Balb/C mice were stained with antibodies against Lyve1, CD31, and CD34, revealing lymphatic vessels through 2D and 3D imaging. A coiled 3D structure of lymphatic vessels was observed in the hippocampus, indicating a complex drainage network. Western blot and real-time PCR analyses confirmed the presence of lymphatic and endothelial markers at the protein and mRNA levels. These findings demonstrate a lymphatic system extending from the meninges into deeper brain regions, offering insights into immune and waste clearance pathways in the central nervous system and potential therapeutic targets for neurological disorders.