Clinical Biochemistry · The Vascular Endothelium

Biochemistry · Basic Sciences

How it begins

The endothelium is not a mere inert lining, but the largest and most dynamic endocrine and paracrine organ in the body. This treatise breaks down its biochemical pathways, the regulation of vascular tone, hemostatic homeostasis, and the pathological implications of its molecular dysfunction.

What it covers

1. Endothelial ultrastructure and selective barrier
2. · Structural heterogeneity of the endothelium
3. · Endothelial junction complexes
4. · Transcellular transport (Transcytosis)
5. Biochemistry of Nitric Oxide (NO): Synthesis and cGMP cascade
6. · Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS / NOS3)
7. · Post-translational Regulation of eNOS
8. · Mechanism of action: The cGMP cascade
9. The cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway: Prostacyclin vs Thromboxane
10. · Prostacyclin Biosynthesis ($PGI_2$)
11. Endothelium-Derived Hyperpolarizing Factor (EDHF)
12. · Mechanism of endothelium-myocyte coupling
13. Endothelin System: Synthesis, receptors and signaling
14. · Endothelin-1 (ET-1) Biosynthetic Pathway
15. · Endothelin Receptors and Transducer Mechanism
16. Surface Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System: ECA and ECA2
17. · Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE / CD143)
18. · The counterregulatory pathway: ACE2 and Angiotensin-(1-7)
19. Regulation of hemostasis and fibrinolysis by the endothelium
20. · Constitutive Antithrombotic Mechanisms
21. · Regulation of the Fibrinolytic System
22. Leukocyte adhesion and endothelial inflammation
23. · The sequential cascade of leukocyte extravasation
24. Angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and growth factors (VEGF)
25. · VEGF-R2 receptor signaling
26. · Capillary sprouting mechanism: "Tip" cell versus "Stalk" cell
27. The Endothelial Glycocalyx: Composition and mechanotransduction
28. · Macromolecular composition of the Glycocalyx
29. · Mechanotransduction: The Glycocalyx as a shear sensor
30. Endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress
31. · Mechanisms of generation of Vascular Oxidative Stress
32. · The phenomenon of eNOS Uncoupling (eNOS Uncoupling)
33. Pathophysiology of Atherosclerosis and lipid recruitment
34. · Importance of the hemodynamic profile: Laminar vs. Turbulent Flow
35. · The temporal progression of the atherosclerotic lesion
36. Thrombotic microangiopathies and sepsis
37. · Molecular Mechanisms of the main MAT
38. · Immunoendothelial dysfunction in Sepsis and ARDS
39. Hypertension, vascular remodeling and preeclampsia
40. · Mechanism of remodeling and vascular stiffness
41. · Biochemistry of Preeclampsia: The angiogenic imbalance
42. Clinical biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction
43. · Main plasma and urinary biomarkers
44. Endothelial Pharmacology: Statins, ACEIs and cGMP modulators
45. · Pleiotropic Effects of Statins
46. · Modulators of the cGMP and nitric oxide pathway
47. Synthesis: Atlas of targets and molecular interactions of the endothelium