Cytoskeletal mechanisms regulating vascular endothelial barrier function in response to acute lung injury

• DOI: 10.4161/21688370.2014.974448
• Publication Date: 2014-12-31T20:08:55Z
• Authors: Anita Kása; Csilla Csortos; Alexander D Verin
• Keywords: Barrier function; Vascular permeability

Endothelial cells (EC) form a semi-permeable barrier between the interior space of blood vessels and underlying tissues. In acute lung injury (ALI) EC is weakened leading to increased vascular permeability. It widely accepted that integrity critically dependent upon intact cytoskeletal structure cell junctions. Edemagenic agonists, like thrombin or endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), induced rearrangement, contractile responses disruption intercellular contacts permeability increase. The highly clinically-relevant mechanisms dysfunction are currently under intense investigation will be described discussed in current review.