Gomez Toledo Alejandro, Golden Gregory J, Cummings Richard D, Malmström Johan, Esko Jeffrey D
Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA; email:
Annu Rev Biochem. 2025 Jun;94(1):561-586. doi: 10.1146/annurev-biochem-032620-104745. Epub 2025 Mar 25.
The endothelial glycocalyx, a glycan-rich layer on the luminal surface of endothelial cells lining blood and lymphatic vessels, plays a crucial role in vascular homeostasis by regulating vascular permeability, immune cell trafficking, and vascular tone. Dysregulated endothelial glycocalyx turnover-whether through altered synthesis, intracellular degradation, or shedding-contributes to endothelial dysfunction in conditions such as sepsis, ischemic events, and chronic inflammatory disorders including diabetes and atherosclerosis. In this review, we examine the structure, function, and turnover of the endothelial glycocalyx, emphasizing how pathological changes in its turnover drive vascular dysfunction. We also highlight diagnostic approaches to evaluate dysregulated endothelial glycocalyx turnover in connection with vascular diseases and discuss therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing endothelial glycocalyx degradation and restoring endothelial function.
内皮糖萼是位于血液和淋巴管内衬内皮细胞腔表面的富含聚糖的层，通过调节血管通透性、免疫细胞运输和血管张力，在血管稳态中发挥关键作用。内皮糖萼周转失调——无论是通过合成改变、细胞内降解还是脱落——都会在败血症、缺血事件以及包括糖尿病和动脉粥样硬化在内的慢性炎症性疾病等情况下导致内皮功能障碍。在这篇综述中，我们研究了内皮糖萼的结构、功能和周转，强调其周转的病理变化如何驱动血管功能障碍。我们还重点介绍了评估与血管疾病相关的内皮糖萼周转失调的诊断方法，并讨论了旨在防止内皮糖萼降解和恢复内皮功能的治疗策略。
