Lüscher T F
Department of Research, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.
Clin Exp Hypertens A. 1990;12(5):897-902. doi: 10.3109/10641969009073507.
Endothelial cells play an important regulatory role in the circulation as a physical barrier and as a source of a variety of regulatory substances. Endothelium-derived nitric oxide and prostacyclin are released in response to physical stimuli, hormones and platelet-derived substances and induce vascular relaxation and inhibition of platelet function. Certain substances can evoke a hyperpolarization of smooth muscle cells. In addition, endothelial cells can release several contracting factors (i.e. endothelin, thromboxane A2, angiotensin II, superoxide and unidentified endothelium-derived contracting factors), at least under certain conditions. Endothelial cells are also a source of growth inhibitors and promoters, such as heparin and heparin sulphates, platelet-derived growth factor and thrombospondin. Several vasoactive substances produced by the endothelium, such as nitric oxide, endothelin and angiotensin II may also play a role in the regulation of vascular growth. Thus, the endothelial layer can regulate vascular tone and growth. A dysfunction of these endothelium-dependent regulatory systems may play a role in cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension and atherosclerosis.
内皮细胞作为一种物理屏障以及多种调节物质的来源，在循环系统中发挥着重要的调节作用。内皮衍生的一氧化氮和前列环素会响应物理刺激、激素及血小板衍生物质而释放，进而诱导血管舒张并抑制血小板功能。某些物质可引起平滑肌细胞超极化。此外，至少在某些情况下，内皮细胞能释放多种收缩因子（即内皮素、血栓素A2、血管紧张素II、超氧化物和不明的内皮衍生收缩因子）。内皮细胞还是生长抑制剂和促进剂的来源，如肝素和硫酸肝素、血小板衍生生长因子和血小板反应蛋白。内皮产生的几种血管活性物质，如一氧化氮、内皮素和血管紧张素II，也可能在血管生长调节中发挥作用。因此，内皮细胞层可调节血管张力和生长。这些内皮依赖性调节系统的功能障碍可能在心血管疾病，如高血压和动脉粥样硬化中起作用。
