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The signalling protein ERK5 is essential for maintaining normal endothelial cell function. [28] A further consequence of damage to the endothelium is the release of pathological quantities of von Willebrand factor , which promote platelet aggregation and adhesion to the subendothelium, and thus the formation of potentially fatal thrombi.
Within the brain, the glial limiting membrane is an important constituent of the blood–brain barrier. Experiments using electron-dense markers have discovered that functional components of the blood–brain barrier are the endothelial cells that compose the vessel itself.
The BBB is composed of endothelial cells restricting passage of substances from the blood more selectively than endothelial cells of capillaries elsewhere in the body. [9] Astrocyte cell projections called astrocytic feet (also known as "glia limitans") surround the endothelial cells of the BBB, providing biochemical support to those cells. [10]
The blood–brain barrier is formed by special tight junctions between endothelial cells lining brain blood vessels. Blood vessels of all tissues contain this monolayer of endothelial cells, however only brain endothelial cells have tight junctions preventing passive diffusion of most substances into the brain tissue. [1]
The ependyma is made up of ependymal cells called ependymocytes, a type of glial cell. These cells line the ventricles in the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord, which become filled with cerebrospinal fluid. These are nervous tissue cells with simple columnar shape, much like that of some mucosal epithelial cells. [2]
The cells of the neurovascular unit also make up the blood–brain barrier (BBB), which plays an important role in maintaining the microenvironment of the brain. [11] In addition to regulating the exit and entrance of blood, the blood–brain barrier also filters toxins that may cause inflammation, injury, and disease. [12]
Endothelin functions through activation of two G protein-coupled receptors, endothelin A and endothelin B receptor (ETA and ETB, respectively). [2] These two subtypes of endothelin receptor are distinguished in the laboratory by the order of their affinity for the three endothelin peptides: the ETA receptor is selective for ET-1, whereas the ETB receptor has the same affinity for all three ET ...
The lymphatic endothelium refers to a specialized subset of endothelial cells located in the sinus systems of draining lymph nodes.Specifically, these endothelial cells line the branched sinus systems formed by afferent lymphatic vessels, forming a single-cell layer which functions in a variety of critical physiological processes.