What are endothelial cells?

endothelial cells are a specialized type of body cell that lines the inner surface of all parts of the circulatory system such as heart, arteries, veins and capillaries. Endothelial cells are a simple spinocellular epithelium, which means they have a flat shape, arranged in one layer of cells. Endothelial cells provide a smooth surface that keeps blood flowing quickly throughout the body, helping to prevent blood clots from forming in the circulatory system.

The structure created by enothelial cells is called the endothelium. The endothelium in the heart is more specifically known as the endocardium. Endothelial cells differ from other epithelial cells in that the cytoskeleton, which provides an internal cell structure, includes vimentin protein filamers rather than keratin filaments.

The endothelium is responsible for many basic biological functions. Is involved in vasodilation and vasoconstricting, blood pressure control Through change on average blood vessels, their spreads to increase flowBlood and limited them to reduce blood flow. After damage to the endotle, the process of blood clotting or coagulation starts to beat and prevent bleeding. Endothelial cells also participate in angiogenesis, the formation of new blood cells. They are also part of the immune response and help control the passage of white blood cells into and out of the bloodstream and are involved in more specialized filtration in some organs such as the brain and kidneys.

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endothelium is also involved in certain disorders, including atherosclerosis, reinforcement of arterial walls due to accumulation of cholesterol or other oily materials. Endothelial dysfunction, characterized, for example, by impaired vasodilation and vasoconstriction, is often a timely warning signal of heart problem or atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction is also common in cigarette smokers and in patients with diabetes mellitus, coronary arteries, high blood pressure and hypercholesterolemia or high blood cholesterol.