The endothelial glycocalyx: composition, functions, and visualization

This review aims at presenting state-of-the-art knowledge on the composition and functions of the endothelial glycocalyx. The endothelial glycocalyx is a network of membrane-bound proteoglycans and glycoproteins, covering the endothelium luminally. Both endothelium- and plasma-derived soluble molecu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pflügers Archiv 2007-06, Vol.454 (3), p.345-359
Main Authors: Reitsma, Sietze, Slaaf, Dick W, Vink, Hans, van Zandvoort, Marc A M J, oude Egbrink, Mirjam G A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Atherosclerosis - physiopathology
Diabetes Mellitus - physiopathology
Endothelium, Vascular - anatomy & histology
Endothelium, Vascular - chemistry
Endothelium, Vascular - physiology
Glycocalyx - chemistry
Glycocalyx - physiology
Glycocalyx - ultrastructure
Glycoproteins - chemistry
Glycoproteins - physiology
Humans
Invited Review
Mechanotransduction, Cellular
Microscopy - methods
Models, Cardiovascular
Proteoglycans - chemistry
Proteoglycans - physiology
Reperfusion Injury - physiopathology
Solubility
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Summary:This review aims at presenting state-of-the-art knowledge on the composition and functions of the endothelial glycocalyx. The endothelial glycocalyx is a network of membrane-bound proteoglycans and glycoproteins, covering the endothelium luminally. Both endothelium- and plasma-derived soluble molecules integrate into this mesh. Over the past decade, insight has been gained into the role of the glycocalyx in vascular physiology and pathology, including mechanotransduction, hemostasis, signaling, and blood cell-vessel wall interactions. The contribution of the glycocalyx to diabetes, ischemia/reperfusion, and atherosclerosis is also reviewed. Experimental data from the micro- and macrocirculation alludes at a vasculoprotective role for the glycocalyx. Assessing this possible role of the endothelial glycocalyx requires reliable visualization of this delicate layer, which is a great challenge. An overview is given of the various ways in which the endothelial glycocalyx has been visualized up to now, including first data from two-photon microscopic imaging.
ISSN:0031-6768
1432-2013
DOI:10.1007/s00424-007-0212-8