the endothelium, a monolayer of endothelial cells, constitutes the inner cellular lining of the blood vessels (arteries, veins and capillaries) and the lymphatic system, and therefore is in direct contact with the blood/lymph and the circulating cells.
The endothelium, a monolayer of endothelial cells, constitutes the inner cellular lining of the blood vessels (arteries, veins and capillaries) and the lymphatic system, and therefore is in direct contact with the blood/lymph and the circulating cells. The endothelium is a major player in the control of blood fluidity, platelet aggregation and vascular tone, a major actor in the regulation of immunology, inflammation and angiogenesis, and an important metabolizing and an endocrine organ.
Endothelial cells controls vascular tone, and thereby blood flow, by synthesizing and releasing relaxing and contracting factors such as nitric oxide, metabolites of arachidonic acid via the cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases and cytochrome P450 pathways, various peptides (endothelin, urotensin, CNP, adrenomedullin, etc.), adenosine, purines, reactive oxygen species and so on. Additionally, endothelial ectoenzymes are required steps in the generation of vasoactive hormones such as angiotensin II.
An endothelial dysfunction linked to an imbalance in the synthesis and/or the release of these various endothelial factors may explain the initiation of cardiovascular pathologies (from hypertension to atherosclerosis) or their development and perpetuation.
Functions of Endothelial Cells
The endothelium serves as a permeable barrier for the blood vessel and is involved in the regulation of blood flow. Within basic research, endothelial cells are pivotal to applications related to wound healing, angiogenesis, inflammatory processes, blood brain barriers, diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases. Since the circulatory system lines the entire body, endothelial research is tied to many diseases, which are top-funded research areas. For this reason, dysfunction of endothelial cells has implications in diabetes, pulmonary diseases, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and immune diseases to name a few.
In addition, blocking angiogenesis has important applications in cancer. Cancerous tissue is as dependent on a blood supply as is normal tissue, and this has led to a surge of interest in endothelial cell biology. Studies are focused on understanding interactions between blood vessel formation and tumor expansion. Endothelial cells also have important applications in tissue engineering studies especially in the development of artificial vascular grafts as alternatives to donor-sourced grafts or supporting organ or tissue engineering with a vascular network. Endothelial cells have a remarkable capacity to adjust their number and arrangement to create an adaptable life-support system, extending by cell migration into almost every region of the body. If it were not for endothelial cells extending and remodeling the network of blood vessels, tissue growth and repair would be impossible[tex].[/tex]
Answers & Comments
Answer:
the endothelium, a monolayer of endothelial cells, constitutes the inner cellular lining of the blood vessels (arteries, veins and capillaries) and the lymphatic system, and therefore is in direct contact with the blood/lymph and the circulating cells.
Explanation:
The endothelium, a monolayer of endothelial cells, constitutes the inner cellular lining of the blood vessels (arteries, veins and capillaries) and the lymphatic system, and therefore is in direct contact with the blood/lymph and the circulating cells. The endothelium is a major player in the control of blood fluidity, platelet aggregation and vascular tone, a major actor in the regulation of immunology, inflammation and angiogenesis, and an important metabolizing and an endocrine organ.
Endothelial cells controls vascular tone, and thereby blood flow, by synthesizing and releasing relaxing and contracting factors such as nitric oxide, metabolites of arachidonic acid via the cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases and cytochrome P450 pathways, various peptides (endothelin, urotensin, CNP, adrenomedullin, etc.), adenosine, purines, reactive oxygen species and so on. Additionally, endothelial ectoenzymes are required steps in the generation of vasoactive hormones such as angiotensin II.
An endothelial dysfunction linked to an imbalance in the synthesis and/or the release of these various endothelial factors may explain the initiation of cardiovascular pathologies (from hypertension to atherosclerosis) or their development and perpetuation.
Functions of Endothelial Cells
The endothelium serves as a permeable barrier for the blood vessel and is involved in the regulation of blood flow. Within basic research, endothelial cells are pivotal to applications related to wound healing, angiogenesis, inflammatory processes, blood brain barriers, diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases. Since the circulatory system lines the entire body, endothelial research is tied to many diseases, which are top-funded research areas. For this reason, dysfunction of endothelial cells has implications in diabetes, pulmonary diseases, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and immune diseases to name a few.
In addition, blocking angiogenesis has important applications in cancer. Cancerous tissue is as dependent on a blood supply as is normal tissue, and this has led to a surge of interest in endothelial cell biology. Studies are focused on understanding interactions between blood vessel formation and tumor expansion. Endothelial cells also have important applications in tissue engineering studies especially in the development of artificial vascular grafts as alternatives to donor-sourced grafts or supporting organ or tissue engineering with a vascular network. Endothelial cells have a remarkable capacity to adjust their number and arrangement to create an adaptable life-support system, extending by cell migration into almost every region of the body. If it were not for endothelial cells extending and remodeling the network of blood vessels, tissue growth and repair would be impossible[tex].[/tex]