Tree of life: endothelial cell in norm and disease, the good guy is a partner in crime!

Abstract

Undeniably, endothelial cells (EC) contribute to the maintenance of the homeostasis of the organism through modulating cellular physiology, including signaling pathways, through the release of highly active molecules as well as the response to a myriad of extrinsic and intrinsic signaling factors. Review the data from the current literature on the EC role in norm and disease. Endothelium maintains a precise balance between the released molecules, where EC dysfunction arises when the endothelium actions shift toward vasoconstriction, the proinflammatory, prothrombic properties after the alteration of nitric oxide (NO) production and oxidative stress. The functions of the EC are regulated by the negative/positive feedback from the organism, through EC surface receptors, and the crosstalk between NO, adrenergic receptors, and oxidative stress. More than a hundred substances can interact with EC. The EC dysfunction is a hallmark in the emergence and progression of vascular-related pathologies. The paper concisely reviews recent advances in EC (patho) physiology. Grasping EC physiology is crucial to gauge their potential clinical utility and optimize the current therapies as well as to establish novel nanotherapeutic molecular targets include; endothelial receptors, cell adhesion molecules, integrins, signaling pathways, enzymes; peptidases.

Keywords: Endothelial cells; Endothelium; Homeostasis; Nitric oxide; Regeneration.

Fig. 1

EC surface receptors and released molecules. The heterogeneity of the recognized and released molecules by the EC makes them difficult for selective therapeutic targets. In addition, EC regulate and modulate several physiological processes as well as involvement in the pathogenesis of various diseases. EC, endothelial cells; vWF, von Willebrand factor; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.