Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
Angiogenesis. 2021 May;24(2):213-236. doi: 10.1007/s10456-021-09785-7. Epub 2021 Apr 12.
There are two vascular networks in mammals that coordinately function as the main supply and drainage systems of the body. The blood vasculature carries oxygen, nutrients, circulating cells, and soluble factors to and from every tissue. The lymphatic vasculature maintains interstitial fluid homeostasis, transports hematopoietic cells for immune surveillance, and absorbs fat from the gastrointestinal tract. These vascular systems consist of highly organized networks of specialized vessels including arteries, veins, capillaries, and lymphatic vessels that exhibit different structures and cellular composition enabling distinct functions. All vessels are composed of an inner layer of endothelial cells that are in direct contact with the circulating fluid; therefore, they are the first responders to circulating factors. However, endothelial cells are not homogenous; rather, they are a heterogenous population of specialized cells perfectly designed for the physiological demands of the vessel they constitute. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge of the specification of arterial, venous, capillary, and lymphatic endothelial cell identities during vascular development. We also discuss how the dysregulation of these processes can lead to vascular malformations, and therapeutic approaches that have been developed for their treatment.
哺乳动物中有两个血管网络，它们协同作为身体的主要供应和排泄系统。血液脉管系统将氧气、营养物质、循环细胞和可溶性因子输送到身体的每个组织，并将其从组织中带走。淋巴脉管系统维持组织间液的动态平衡，运输造血细胞进行免疫监视，并从胃肠道吸收脂肪。这些血管系统由高度组织化的专门血管网络组成，包括动脉、静脉、毛细血管和淋巴管，它们具有不同的结构和细胞组成，从而实现不同的功能。所有的血管都由内层的内皮细胞组成，这些内皮细胞直接与循环液接触；因此，它们是对循环因子的第一反应者。然而，内皮细胞并不是同质的；相反，它们是一个专门化的细胞异质群体，为它们所构成的血管的生理需求而完美设计。这篇综述概述了血管发育过程中动脉、静脉、毛细血管和淋巴管内皮细胞特征的现有知识。我们还讨论了这些过程的失调如何导致血管畸形，以及为此开发的治疗方法。
