Adhesive intercellular junctions between endothelial cells are formed by tight junctions and adherens junctions. In addition to promoting cell-to-cell adhesion, these structures regulate paracellular permeability, contact inhibition of endothelial cell growth, cell survival, and maintenance of cell polarity. Furthermore, adherens junctions are required for the correct organization of new vessels during embryo development or during tissue proliferation in the adult. Extensive research on cultured epithelial and endothelial cells has resulted in the identification of many molecular components of tight junctions and adherens junctions. Such studies have revealed the complexity of these structures, which are formed by membrane-associated adhesion proteins and a network of several intracellular signaling partners. This review focuses on the structural organization of junctional structures and their functional interactions in the endothelium of blood vessels and lymphatics. We emphasize the way that these structures regulate endothelial cell homeostasis by transferring specific intracellular signals and by modulating activation and signaling of growth factor receptors.

Organization and signaling of endothelial cell to cell junctions in different regions of the blood and lymphatic vascular trees / E. Dejana, F. Orsenigo, C. Molendini, P. Baluk, D. McDonald. - In: CELL AND TISSUE RESEARCH. - ISSN 0302-766X. - 335:1(2009), pp. 17-25. [10.1007/s00441-008-0694-5]

Organization and signaling of endothelial cell to cell junctions in different regions of the blood and lymphatic vascular trees

E. Dejana
Primo
;
C. Molendini;
2009

Abstract

Adhesive intercellular junctions between endothelial cells are formed by tight junctions and adherens junctions. In addition to promoting cell-to-cell adhesion, these structures regulate paracellular permeability, contact inhibition of endothelial cell growth, cell survival, and maintenance of cell polarity. Furthermore, adherens junctions are required for the correct organization of new vessels during embryo development or during tissue proliferation in the adult. Extensive research on cultured epithelial and endothelial cells has resulted in the identification of many molecular components of tight junctions and adherens junctions. Such studies have revealed the complexity of these structures, which are formed by membrane-associated adhesion proteins and a network of several intracellular signaling partners. This review focuses on the structural organization of junctional structures and their functional interactions in the endothelium of blood vessels and lymphatics. We emphasize the way that these structures regulate endothelial cell homeostasis by transferring specific intracellular signals and by modulating activation and signaling of growth factor receptors.
Adherens junctions; Endothelial cells; Intercellular junctions; Tight junctions
Settore MED/04 - Patologia Generale
2009
Article (author)
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/50636
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