Role of Endothelial Cells in Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

Endothelial cells line the entire circulatory system, from the heart to the smallest capillaries. Their unique functions cover fluid filtration, blood vessel tone, haemostasis, neutrophil recruitment, and hormone trafficking or maintenance of patent and functional capillaries. Therefore, the modulation of ECs’ structure or functions is directly involved in a broad range of disorders, including heart diseases, atherosclerosis, stroke, venous thrombosis, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, chronic kidney failure, and others.

Endothelial cells secrete numerous proinflammatory cytokines in response to injury, contributing to healing. This process is necessary for the proper functioning of the organism. However, it is also observed during the development of disease. Vascular activation is crucial to tumorigenesis via cancer neovascularization. Newly formed blood vessels provide nutrition and oxygen to the tumour, contributing to its growth and development. During inflammation, ECs are also characterized by high plasticity, manifested by endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), resulting in myofibroblast/CAFs formation and the disclosure of cancer invasiveness. Moreover, EndMT-induced myofibroblasts play a crucial role in developing fibrotic disorders. Pathological fibrosis, defined as the excessive deposition of collagen and other extracellular matrix proteins, is responsible for approximately 45% of cases of natural death.

For this Special Issue, we welcome papers that focus on the function of ECs in diseases to improve the knowledge of the mechanisms regulating ECs-related pathologies, and to focus on the potential therapeutic role of endothelium. Original articles and reviews will be considered for publication in this Special Issue.

Dr. Wojciech M. Ciszewski
Dr. Katarzyna Sobierajska
Guest Editors

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