ENDOTHELIUM IN VIVO AND IN VITRO. PART 1: HISTOGENESIS, STRUCTURE, CYTOPHYSIOLOGY AND KEY MARKERS

Endothelial cells are the key elements of the internal wall of vessels and perform numerous important functions including maintenance of hemostasis, regulation of vessel tone, of angiogenesis and inflammation processes. Endothelial dysfunction is associated with a wide range of pathological conditions and diseases, such as atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune, infectious, oncologic diseases, etc. In the article, information regarding the embryonic development and morphologic peculiarities of endothelial cells is presented; vasculo-, angio- and arteriogenesis are described; the key endothelium-derived biological substances as well as immunocytochemical markers, which permit identification of endothelial cells, are presented. The article contains information, that will help the reader understand cellular and molecular biology of endothelial cells, and will make it easier to comprehend pathophysiology and state-of-the-art methods of medical research, diagnostics and treatment of patients with diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction.