This book will be a comprehensive study of the lymphatic system and its immunological role. It will begin with lymphatic capillaries, their origin and development. It will treat lymph circulation, in general, with a special emphasis on lymph circulation in parenchymal organs. The next section will address lymph nodes, subcortical circulation and the conduit system. It will discuss organs with no lymphatic system, such as the brain. Finally, it will cover lymph composition and cells in the lymph. While primarily basic research, the volume will touch upon elements of the clinical, as well, broadening its scope and appeal.

The generation of tridimensional tissues, assembled from scaffolding materials populated with biologically functional cells, is the great challenge and hope of tissue bioengineering and regenerative medicine. The generation of biomaterials capable of harnessing the immune system has been particularly successful. This book provides a comprehensive view of how immune cells can be manipulated to suppresses inflammation, deliver vaccines, fight cancer cells, promote tissue regeneration or inhibit blood clotting and bacterial infections by functionally engineered biomaterials. However, long-lived polymers, such as those employed in orthopedic surgery or vascular stents, can often induce an immune reaction to their basic components. As a result, this book is also an important step towards coming to understand how to manipulate biomaterials to optimize their beneficial effects and downplay detrimental immune responses.

The generation of tridimensional tissues, assembled from scaffolding materials populated with biologically functional cells, is the great challenge and hope of tissue bioengineering and regenerative medicine. The generation of biomaterials capable of harnessing the immune system has been particularly successful. This book provides a comprehensive view of how immune cells can be manipulated to suppresses inflammation, deliver vaccines, fight cancer cells, promote tissue regeneration or inhibit blood clotting and bacterial infections by functionally engineered biomaterials. However, long-lived polymers, such as those employed in orthopedic surgery or vascular stents, can often induce an immune reaction to their basic components. As a result, this book is also an important step towards coming to understand how to manipulate biomaterials to optimize their beneficial effects and downplay detrimental immune responses.

This book will be a comprehensive study of the lymphatic system and its immunological role. It will begin with lymphatic capillaries, their origin and development. It will treat lymph circulation, in general, with a special emphasis on lymph circulation in parenchymal organs. The next section will address lymph nodes, subcortical circulation and the conduit system. It will discuss organs with no lymphatic system, such as the brain. Finally, it will cover lymph composition and cells in the lymph. While primarily basic research, the volume will touch upon elements of the clinical, as well, broadening its scope and appeal.