Endothelium-derived factors and peripheral vascular disease.

The endothelium plays a major role in modulating vascular tone, vascular growth, and interactions of the vessel wall with blood constituents. Therefore, abnormalities in endothelial function may play a primary or contributory role to a variety of vasculopathies that are characterized by thrombosis, excessive vasoconstriction, or vascular smooth muscle proliferation. Our increasing understanding of the complexity of endothelial functions will permit us to understand the mechanisms of vascular disease and to design new therapies directed at these mechanisms of disease.