Qu Jing, Cheng Yue, Wu Wenchao, Yuan Lixing, Liu Xiaojing
Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, Regenerative Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Department of Cardiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Front Cell Dev Biol. 2021 Sep 13;9:730621. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2021.730621. eCollection 2021.
The glycocalyx is a complex polysaccharide-protein layer lining the lumen of vascular endothelial cells. Changes in the structure and function of the glycocalyx promote an inflammatory response in blood vessels and play an important role in the pathogenesis of many vascular diseases (e.g., diabetes, atherosclerosis, and sepsis). Vascular endothelial dysfunction is a hallmark of inflammation-related diseases. Endothelial dysfunction can lead to tissue swelling, chronic inflammation, and thrombosis. Therefore, elimination of endothelial inflammation could be a potential target for the treatment of vascular diseases. This review summarizes the key role of the glycocalyx in the inflammatory process and the possible mechanism by which it alleviates this process by interrupting the cycle of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. Especially, we highlight the roles of different components of the glycocalyx in modulating the inflammatory process, including components that regulate leukocyte rolling, L-selectin binding, inflammasome activation and the signaling interactions between the glycocalyx components and the vascular cells. We discuss how the glycocalyx interferes with the development of inflammation and the importance of preventing glycocalyx impairment. Finally, drawing on current understanding of the role of the glycocalyx in inflammation, we consider a potential strategy for the treatment of vascular diseases.
糖萼是一层复杂的多糖-蛋白质层，衬于血管内皮细胞的管腔表面。糖萼的结构和功能变化会促进血管中的炎症反应，并在许多血管疾病（如糖尿病、动脉粥样硬化和脓毒症）的发病机制中发挥重要作用。血管内皮功能障碍是炎症相关疾病的一个标志。内皮功能障碍可导致组织肿胀、慢性炎症和血栓形成。因此，消除内皮炎症可能是治疗血管疾病的一个潜在靶点。本综述总结了糖萼在炎症过程中的关键作用，以及它通过中断内皮功能障碍和炎症循环来缓解这一过程的可能机制。特别是，我们强调了糖萼不同成分在调节炎症过程中的作用，包括调节白细胞滚动、L-选择素结合、炎性小体激活以及糖萼成分与血管细胞之间信号相互作用的成分。我们讨论了糖萼如何干扰炎症的发展以及预防糖萼损伤的重要性。最后，基于目前对糖萼在炎症中作用的理解，我们考虑了一种治疗血管疾病的潜在策略。
