Immune regulation by microvascular endothelial cells: directing innate and adaptive immunity, coagulation, and inflammation

S Danese, E Dejana, C Fiocchi - The Journal of Immunology, 2007 - journals.aai.org
S Danese, E Dejana, C Fiocchi
The Journal of Immunology, 2007journals.aai.org
An effective immune response depends not only on the proper activation, regulation, and
function of immune cells, but also on their distribution and retention in diverse tissue
microenvironments where they encounter a number of stimuli and other cell types. These
activities are mediated by endothelial cells, which form specialized microcirculatory
networks used by immune cells under both physiological and pathological circumstances.
Endothelial cells represent a highly heterogeneous population of cells with the ability to …
Abstract
An effective immune response depends not only on the proper activation, regulation, and function of immune cells, but also on their distribution and retention in diverse tissue microenvironments where they encounter a number of stimuli and other cell types. These activities are mediated by endothelial cells, which form specialized microcirculatory networks used by immune cells under both physiological and pathological circumstances. Endothelial cells represent a highly heterogeneous population of cells with the ability to interact with and modulate the function of immune cells. This review is focused on the role of microvascular endothelial cells in innate and adaptive immunity, inflammation, coagulation, angiogenesis, and the therapeutic implications of targeting endothelial cells in selected autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders.
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