Endothelial cell

An endothelial cell forms the inner lining of blood and lymphatic vessels. Together, these cells create an interface that regulates exchange between vessel contents and surrounding tissues.

Endothelium: The continuous cellular lining of blood and lymphatic vessels and the heart’s interior. Endothelial cells collectively form this tissue layer.
Tight junction: A cell junction that seals adjacent cells and limits movement through the space between them. Tight junctions help endothelial layers restrict passage between neighboring cells.
Endothelial dysfunction: Impaired endothelial regulation of vascular tone, permeability, inflammation, or clotting. This condition describes loss of the functions that distinguish healthy endothelial cells.
Blood–brain barrier: A selective barrier formed chiefly by brain endothelial cells and associated supporting cells. Brain endothelial cells form unusually restrictive junctions that limit exchange with neural tissue.
Vascular permeability: The ease with which substances cross the walls of blood vessels. Endothelial junctions and transport pathways determine what leaves the bloodstream.
Adherens junction: A cell junction that links neighboring cells through cadherin proteins and the actin cytoskeleton. Endothelial adherens junctions maintain cohesion while allowing regulated remodeling.
Atherosclerosis: A chronic disease in which plaques containing lipids and inflammatory cells develop in arterial walls. Endothelial injury and dysfunction contribute to the initiation and progression of arterial plaques.
Lymphatic endothelial cell: A specialized endothelial cell that lines lymphatic vessels and contributes to lymph transport. This related cell type lines lymphatic rather than blood vessels.
Vasodilation: An increase in blood-vessel diameter caused by relaxation of smooth muscle in the vessel wall. Endothelial signals such as nitric oxide can relax nearby vascular smooth muscle.
Basement membrane: A thin extracellular matrix layer that supports cells and separates tissue compartments. It supports endothelial cells and helps define the vessel wall’s filtration properties.

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