Methylene blue and carbon nanoparticles had no significant adverse effects on the survival and function of lymph nodes after non-vascularized transplantation in a mouse model

Abstract

BackgroundLymph node transfer has been known as a physiologic approach for “curing” lymphedema. The transplantation of methylene blue and carbon nanoparticles stained lymph nodes aims to investigate their impact on the survival of transplanted lymph nodes. MethodsFour weeks after transplantation, the survival condition of transplanted lymph nodes was detected by the reconnection with lymphatics, reconnected lymphatic function, HE staining, and distribution of B-cells and T-cells. Also, the number of lymphatics (LYVE-1) and blood vessels (CD31) of transplanted lymph nodes was investigated. ResultsReconnected lymphatic function, the number of transplanted lymph nodes of achieving lymphatic reconstruction, and the surviving and potentially surviving ones were close. Besides, the control group (n = 11, CD31: mean = 9.527 ± 1.017, LYVE-1: mean = 21.45 ± 1.780), the methylene blue group (n = 12, CD31: mean = 9.73 ± 0.8998, LYVE-1: mean = 20.67 ± 1.601) and the carbon nanoparticles group (n = 11, CD31:mean = 8.709 ± 1.435, LYVE-1: mean = 19.60 ± 2.268). After calculation, both CD31 and LYVE-1 showed no significant difference statistically among the three groups. ConclusionsOur findings justify the use of methylene blue and carbon nanoparticles in reverse lymphatic mapping, as they can increase the efficiency of collecting “target lymph nodes” and minimize the iatrogenic injury in the donor area while having no significant adverse effects on the survival condition of transplanted lymph nodes. And this approach is easy to operate and worthy of clinical application and popularization.