CSB331H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Rho-Associated Protein Kinase, Syndecan, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
4 Apr 2012
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Text taken verbatim from cited articles with minor modifications. Eiken and adams (2010) dynamics of endothelial cell behavior in sprouting angiogenesis current. Endothelial cells (ecs) form two extensive tubular networks, the blood vasculature and the lymphatic vasculature, that transport a large variety of molecular and cellular cargo. The formation and function of these vessels supports the growth of organs during development and early postnatal life, but also helps to defend diseases, stabilize the body temperature and maintain homeostatic balance in the adult. Blood vessels form a closed tubular system for blood circulation, which consists of hierarchically organized arteries, capillaries and veins. In contrast, lymphatic vessels are blind-ending tubules that transport protein-rich fluid (lymph) and immune cells unidirectionally from distal tissues into the venous branch of the circulation. In addition, mural cells (smooth muscle cells and pericytes) are attached to the abluminal (basal) surface of certain vessels and help, for example, to stabilize the vessel wall and regulate blood pressure.
