Inherent biomechanical traits enable infective filariae to disseminate through collecting lymphatic vessels

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10675-2
• Publication Date: 2019-07-01T10:03:09Z
• Authors: Witold W. Kilarski; Coralie Martin; Marco Pisano; Odile Bain; Simon A Babayan; Melody A. Swartz
• Keywords: mice; [SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio]; Science; halicephalobus-gingivalis; habitat selection; Article; Lymphatic System; Mice; 03 medical and health sciences; Animals; Humans; [SDV.MP] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Microbiology and Parasitology; Filarioidea; fluid; Lymphatic Vessels; Skin; helminths; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred C3H; 0303 health sciences; model; Q; Filariasis; 3. Good health; [SDV] Life Sciences [q-bio]; Mice, Inbred C57BL; [SDV.MP]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Microbiology and Parasitology; transport; Female; meningoencephalomyelitis; litomosoides-sigmodontis

Filariases are diseases caused by arthropod-borne filaria nematodes. The related pathologies depend on the location of infective larvae when their migration, asymptomatic and least studied phase disease, comes to an end. To determine factors assisting in filariae dissemination, we image Litomosoides sigmodontis during escape from skin. Burrowing through dermis exclusively enter pre-collecting lymphatics mechanical disruption wall. Once inside collectors, rapid unidirectional movement towards lymph node is supported morphology lymphatic valves. In a microfluidic maze mimicking vessels, follow direction flow, first biomechanical factor capable helminth guidance within host. Finally, non-infective nematodes that rely universal morpho-physiological cues alone also migrate dermis, break lymphatics, indicating ability spread route ancestral trait rather than acquired parasitic adaptation.