ABSTRACT
Endothelial cells (ECs) lining the inner surface of vessels have a variety of cellular functions and play an important role in the homeostasis of blood circulation and other body functions. For example, ECs regulate vessel tone by releasing a variety of smooth muscle cell relaxants and constrictors. They also express thrombomodulin and heparan sulfate on their cell surface to keep the vessel lumen anti-thrombotic. Furthermore, ECs actively interact with other cells through adhesion molecules and cell growth factors, and participate in tissue inflammatory and immune responses as well as vascular remodeling.
