The endothelium: vascular control of haemostasis

Within many general functions the endothelium is equipped with a number of mechanisms that prevent thrombus formation in the circulatory system. It harbours factors that interrupt the coagulation cascade, such as antithrombin III, the protein C receptor thrombomodulin, and tissue factor pathway inhibitor. It prevents platelet activation by the production of nitric oxide and prostacyclin, exonucleotidases and surface heparan sulphates. Furthermore, it can trigger and control fibrinolysis by the synthesis and release of tissue-type plasminogen activator and its inhibitor PAI-1. The general properties of the endothelium are subject to adaptation by environmental factors, such as inflammatory mediators and shear forces. Interleukin-1 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha reduce the antithrombotic properties of the endothelium. Furthermore, local variation exists between different vascular beds and vessel types, such as in the endometrium. While the endothelium controls blood fluidity on its apical side, adaptation of the endothelium also prepares its involvement in tissue repair upon inflammation or damage. The fibrin matrix, which is formed after damage of the vascular system, not only acts as a sealing of the wound, but also facilitates the repair process by providing a scaffolding for cell invasion and angiogenesis.