Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42466938›Full record

ArticleTranslational vision science & technology2026

Identification and Mapping of a Posterior Ocular Lymphatic Outflow (POLO) Pathway Through Choroidal Lymphatics.

Babishaa Sauntharrajan, Neeru Gupta, Xun Zhou, Ekim Gümeler, Greg Stanisz, Wilfred W Lam, Margaret Koletar, Yeni H Yücel

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Translational vision science & technology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Babishaa SauntharrajanDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Neeru GuptaDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Xun ZhouKeenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Ekim GümelerKeenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Greg StaniszPhysical Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Wilfred W LamPhysical Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Margaret KoletarPhysical Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Yeni H YücelDepartment of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Purpose: To identify, map, and characterize a posterior ocular lymphatic outflow (POLO) pathway from the suprachoroidal space and assess its drainage dynamics and cervical nodal uptake using time-resolved imaging. Methods: Albumin-based tracers (galbumin and CF770/BSA) were delivered into the suprachoroidal space of adult mice under general anesthesia. In vivo imaging included magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and near-infrared fluorescence imaging using confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (cSLO) of the ocular surface and orbital soft tissues. Ex vivo assessments included in situ head and neck fluorescence imaging 20 minutes after tracer injection and hyperspectral microscopy of ocular and orbital sections. Lymphatic identity was assessed by immunofluorescence staining (podoplanin and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 [VEGFR-3]) in Prox1-tdTomato reporter mice. Results: Following suprachoroidal tracer injection, in vivo MRI and cSLO fluorescence imaging showed preferential drainage toward the nasal orbit. Hyperspectral microscopy showed higher tracer signal in the ipsilateral sclera and orbit than contralateral tissues, and in situ fluorescence imaging detected near-infrared tracer in the ipsilateral cervical lymph node at 20 minutes. Confocal microscopy of the choroid showed co-localization of podoplanin with VEGFR-3 and Prox1 and demonstrated tracer within podoplanin-positive choroidal lymphatic vessels, consistent with a posterior drainage route from the suprachoroidal space to cervical lymph nodes. Conclusions: This study identifies a previously unrecognized POLO pathway and expands ocular drainage physiology beyond the anterior segment to include a posterior lymphatic route through choroidal lymphatic vessels. Translational Relevance: Identification of a POLO pathway reveals a measurable route for fluid clearance, intraocular pressure regulation, and drug delivery, offering new strategies to preserve vision in retinal and posterior segment diseases characterized by fluid accumulation, impaired clearance, or inflammation.

Indexed as

ChoroidLymphatic VesselsAnimalsMagnetic Resonance ImagingMembrane GlycoproteinsMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMicroscopy, ConfocalOphthalmoscopyPodoplaninVascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3Membrane GlycoproteinsPdpn protein, mousePodoplaninVascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3

Identifiers

PMID42466938
PMCPMC13390728

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.