What Are Endothelial Cells?

Endothelial cells are a thin layer of specialized epithelial cells, consisting of a layer of flat cells, which are polygonal in shape, and the edges of the cells are sawtooth-shaped and chimeric. It forms the inner wall of the blood vessel and is the interface between the blood in the lumen of the blood vessel and other blood vessel walls (monolayer squamous epithelium).

Endothelial cells

Endothelial cells are a thin layer of specialized

Endothelial cells or vascular endothelium are a thin layer of specialized

Vascular endothelial cells (EC) are located between plasma and vascular tissues. It can not only complete the metabolic exchange of plasma and interstitial fluid, but also synthesize and secrete a variety of biologically active substances to ensure the normal contraction and relaxation of blood vessels and maintain vascular tension. , Regulate blood pressure and coagulation and anticoagulation balance and other special functions, so as to maintain normal blood flow and long-term patency of blood vessels. Endothelialization of the surface of anticoagulant materials can reduce thrombus formation and platelet activation.

Intact endothelialization is the best anticoagulant, and the surface vascular endothelial tissue is the natural anticoagulant tissue. Endothelial cell membranes have natural anticoagulant components such as heparin, prostaglandin (PGI), nitric oxide, etc. Endothelial cells can synthesize and secrete a variety of endothelium-derived relaxing factors.
Endothelial cells are involved in many areas of vascular biology, including:

Vasoconstriction and vasodilation to control blood pressure;

Among the endothelial cells of the cardiovascular system, there is also the Weible-Palade body (WP body), also known as endothelial-specific particles.