ABSTRACT
The endothelium is a highly specialized multifunctional cell monolayer between blood and tissue. It regulates a variety of vascular functions such as the passage of macromolecules and oxygen supply to organs and tissues, of immune responses, of angiogenesis, and of vascular remodeling. An additional and overall important role of the arterial endothelium is the control of the contractile state of the vascular smooth muscle and thus systemic blood pressure by the release of vasoactive factors. Moreover, endothelial dysfunction contributes to several cardiovascular pathologies such as arteriosclerosis, restenosis disease, vasculitis, or hypertension.
