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Endothelial cell‐to‐cell junctions
Author(s) -
Dejana Elisabetta,
Corada Monica,
Lampugnani Maria Grazia
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.9.10.7615160
Subject(s) - cell junction , microbiology and biotechnology , tight junction , cytoplasm , leukocyte extravasation , endothelial stem cell , endothelium , intracellular , cytoskeleton , gap junction , organelle , chemistry , extravasation , cell , biology , cell adhesion molecule , immunology , biochemistry , endocrinology , in vitro
The endothelium forme the main barrier to the passage of macromolecules and circulating cells from blood to tissues. Endothelial permeability is in large part regulated by intercellular junctions. These are complex structures formed by transmembrane adhesive molecules linked to a network of cytoplasmic/cytoskeletal proteins. At least four different types of endothelial junctions have been described: tight junctions, gap junctions, adherence junctions and syndesmos. lítese organelles have some features and components in common with epithelial cells but there are also some that are specific for the endothelium. The mechanisms that regulate the opening and closing of endothelial junctions are still obscure. It is conceivable that inflammatory agents increase permeabilty by binding to specific receptors generating intracellular signals, which in turn cause cytoskeletal reorganization and opening of interen‐ dothelial cell gaps. Endothelial junctions also control leukocyte extravasation. Once leukocytes have adhered to the endothelium, a coordinated opening of interendothelial cell junctions occurs. The mechanism by which this takes place is unknow, but it might present characteristics similar to that triggered by soluble mediators.—Dejana, E., Corada, M., Lampugnani, M. G. Endothelial cell‐to‐cell junctions. FASEBJ ., 9, 910‐918 (1995)