Endothelial Glycocalyx

• DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c210029
• Publication Date: 2022-08-23T09:47:50Z
• Authors: Christopher A. Foote; Rogerio N. Soares; Francisco I. Rami...; Thaysa Ghiarone; Annayya Aroor; Camila Manrique‐A...; Jaume Padilla; Luis Martinez‐Lemus
• Keywords: Glycocalyx; Mechanotransduction; Leukocyte extravasation; Extravasation; Vascular permeability

The glycocalyx is a polysaccharide structure that protrudes from the body of cell. It primarily conformed glycoproteins and proteoglycans, which provide communication, electrostatic charge, ionic buffering, permeability, mechanosensation-mechanotransduction capabilities to cells. In blood vessels, endothelial projects into vascular lumen separates wall circulating blood. Such physical location allows number its components, including sialic acid, glypican-1, heparan sulfate, hyaluronan, participate in flow-dependent shear stress, results synthesis nitric oxide flow-mediated vasodilation. also participates regulation permeability modulation inflammatory responses, processes leukocyte rolling extravasation. Its structural architecture negative charge work prevent macromolecules greater than approximately 70 kDa cationic molecules binding flowing out vasculature. This prevents extravasation pathogens such as bacteria virus, well tumor Due constant exposure enzymes neuraminidase, heparanase, hyaluronidase, matrix metalloproteinases, continuous process degradation renovation. A balance favoring associated with variety pathologies atherosclerosis, hypertension, aging, metastatic cancer, diabetic vasculopathies. Consequently, ongoing research efforts are focused on deciphering mechanisms promote or limit syntheses, therapeutic approaches improve integrity goal reducing disease. © 2022 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 12: 1-31, 2022.