The glycocalyx: a central regulator of vascular function.
Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol
; 320(4): R508-R518, 2021 04 01.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33501896
ABSTRACT
The endothelial glycocalyx is a specialized extracellular matrix that covers the apical side of vascular endothelial cells, projecting into the lumen of blood vessels. The composition of the glycocalyx has been studied in great detail, and it is known to be composed of a mixture of proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, and glycoproteins. Although this structure was once believed to be a passive physical barrier, it is now recognized as a multifunctional and dynamic structure that participates in many vascular processes, including but not limited to vascular permeability, inflammation, thrombosis, mechanotransduction, and cytokine signaling. Because of its participation in many physiological and pathophysiological states, comprehensive knowledge of the glycocalyx will aid future vascular biologists in their research. With that in mind, this review discusses the biochemical structure of the glycocalyx and its function in many vascular physiological processes. We also briefly review a more recent discovery in glycocalyx biology, the placental glycocalyx.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Placenta
/
Vasos Sanguíneos
/
Glicocálix
/
Células Endoteliales
Límite:
Animals
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol
Asunto de la revista:
FISIOLOGIA
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article