Washington University in St. Louis (WU)
Trafficking cells and molecular cargo from the gut into the cardio-thoracic space can be modulated from local and systemic mechanisms to maintain tissue homeostasis. Their routes may incorporate not only blood but also lymphatic vasculature (i.e., thoracic duct into the subclavian veins). While scenarios of pathology when the outflow routes from gut are disrupted, the cardio-pulmonary circuit may serve concomitant communication independent of signals from the gut. Projects to study these routes might yield strategies for protective, effective protection against cardiopulmonary diseases.