ABSTRACT
Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) form a syncytium, the endothelium, that covers the inner surface of blood vessels, and they also synthesize and secrete many factors that are involved in blood homeostasis, vasomotor regulation, inflammation, immunological reactions, angiogenesis, etc. This chapter presents overview of the electrical surface properties of endothelial cells and their measurement with electrophoresis. Electrophoretic mobility (EPM) measurements can be used to calculate electrical surface parameters through the use of an appropriate model like the one developed by Levine et al., which is based on red blood cells (RBC) electrophoretic data. Quantification of EC electrical parameters opens the way to an evaluation of transendothelial transport selectivity to charged molecules, EC adhesion to cells and surfaces, and other phenomena of physiological interest. The surface potential modifies ionic concentrations at the glycocalyx surface by attracting ions of opposite polarity (counterions) and repelling those of the same sign (coions).
