ABSTRACT
Vascular endothelium lines the entire cardiovascular system where it performs a series
of vital functions by its control of microvascular permeability, vessel wall tone,
coagulation and anticoagulation cascades, lipid homeostasis, inflammation, angiogenesis,
and vasculogenesis. The vertebrate endothelial cells display a remarkable heterogeneity
in terms of morphology, molecular makeup, and functional output. This heterogeneity
was documented very early by electron microscopy studies that established morphologically
recognizable endothelial phenotypes in vascular beds of different organs and, moreover,
within the different vascular segments of each organ. This review discusses endothelial
heterogeneity from a morphological standpoint and the latest developments in our understanding
of the components, structure, and function of the endothelial specific organelles
that form the hallmark of these phenotypes.
KEYWORDS
Caveolae - fenestrae - transendothelial channels - sinusoids - PLVAP
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Radu V StanM.D.
Dartmouth Medical School, Department of Pathology
HB 7600, Borwell 502W, 1 Medical Center Drive, Hanover, NH 92093-0651
eMail: Radu.V.Stan@Dartmouth.edu
