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Endothelial dysfunction: mechanisms and contribution to diseases

Acta Pharmacologica Sinica (2024)Cite this article

Abstract

The endothelium, lining the inner surface of blood vessels and spanning approximately 3 m2, serves as the largest organ in the body. Comprised of endothelial cells, the endothelium interacts with other bodily components including the bloodstream, circulating cells, and the lymphatic system. Functionally, the endothelium primarily synchronizes vascular tone (by balancing vasodilation and vasoconstriction) and prevents vascular inflammation and pathologies. Consequently, endothelial dysfunction disrupts vascular homeostasis, leading to vascular injuries and diseases such as cardiovascular, cerebral, and metabolic diseases. In this opinion/perspective piece, we explore the recently identified mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction across various disease subsets and critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of current therapeutic interventions at the pre-clinical level.

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Fig. 1: LPS-initiated inflammatory signaling in ECs and FABP3 overexpression.
Fig. 2: Endothelial cytoskeleton, vinculin inactivation, and infiltration of immune cells.
Fig. 3: Hyperglycemia and the NO3− theory of endothelial dysfunction.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82130011, 92249301).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA

    Amir Ajoolabady

  2. Alzheimer’s Center at Temple, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA

    Domenico Pratico

  3. Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai, 200032, China

    Jun Ren

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Correspondence to Jun Ren.

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Ajoolabady, A., Pratico, D. & Ren, J. Endothelial dysfunction: mechanisms and contribution to diseases. Acta Pharmacol Sin (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41401-024-01295-8

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