Amyloid-beta is present in human lymph nodes and greatly enriched in those of the cervical region

Degradation and clearance of amyloid beta (A beta) peptide are likely critical for brain health. Animal studies have demonstrated the role of the glial-lymphatic (glymphatic) system in the clearance of A beta and other brain metabolites, but no such information has been available in humans. Here we ask whether this system contributes to the clearance of A beta from the human brain. In the absence of an applicable imaging method, we examined cervical and inguinal lymph nodes resected for cancer therapy or staging using immunohistochemistry. A beta-labeled cells were present in lymph nodes, and cervical lymph nodes showed labeled cells in far greater abundance than did inguinal nodes. This observation supports the hypothesis that the glymphatic system contributes to the clearance of A beta from the human brain.

Automated summary

The research examined lymph nodes resected during cancer treatment or staging and found that Aβ-labeled cells were present, with cervical lymph nodes having more labeled cells than inguinal nodes. This observation supports the hypothesis that the glymphatic system contributes to the clearance of Aβ from the human brain.