Endothelial cells on the move: dynamics in vascular morphogenesis and disease. (30th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fonseca, Catarina G; Barbacena, Pedro; Franco, Claudio A
• Is Part Of: Vascular biology. Volume 2:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: H29
• Page End: H43
• Publication Date: 2020-07-30
• Subjects: angiogenesis -- vascular disease -- vascular remodelling -- cell migration -- cell polarity; Peripheral vascular diseases -- Periodicals; Cardiovascular system -- Periodicals; Blood-vessels -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 573.18
• DOI: 10.1530/VB-20-0007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2516-5658

Abstract

Abstract : The vascular system is a hierarchically organized network of blood vessels that play crucial roles in embryogenesis, homeostasis and disease. Blood vessels are built by endothelial cells – the cells lining the interior of blood vessels – through a process named vascular morphogenesis. Endothelial cells react to different biomechanical signals in their environment by adjusting their behavior to: (1) invade, proliferate and fuse to form new vessels (angiogenesis); (2) remodel, regress and establish a hierarchy in the network (patterning); and (3) maintain network stability (quiescence). Each step involves the coordination of endothelial cell differentiation, proliferation, polarity, migration, rearrangements and shape changes to ensure network integrity and an efficient barrier between blood and tissues. In this review, we highlighted the relevance and the mechanisms involving endothelial cell migration during different steps of vascular morphogenesis. We further present evidence on how impaired endothelial cell dynamics can contribute to pathology.