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Micropatterning and Assembly of 3D Microvessels
Published on: September 9, 2016
Endothelium, the dynamic interface in cardiac lipid transport
R O Scow1, E J Blanchette-Mackie
1Endocrinology Section, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
|October 21, 1992
Summary
The vascular endothelium facilitates lipid transport to heart and artery cells. It manages the uptake and transport of fatty acids, lipoprotein lipase, and insulin via specific cellular pathways.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Cellular Physiology
- Lipid Metabolism
Background:
- The vascular endothelium acts as a crucial interface for lipid transport between blood and myocytes in the heart and arteries.
- Key enzymes and molecules like lipoprotein lipase and insulin are involved in this process, originating from or acting upon endothelial cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the transport mechanisms of lipids, lipoprotein lipase, and insulin across the vascular endothelium to myocytes.
- To describe the common pathway and distinct mechanisms involved in the transport of these essential molecules.
Main Methods:
- The study focuses on the functional roles of the vascular endothelium in lipid and insulin transport.
- It examines the localization and interaction of lipoprotein lipase with endothelial cell membranes.
- The transport route involving endothelial and myocyte membranes, transendothelial channels, and intercellular contacts is investigated.
Main Results:
- Lipoprotein lipase acts on lipoproteins (chylomicrons, VLDL) at the endothelium's luminal surface and is anchored by proteoheparan sulfate.
- Fatty acids and monoacylglycerols are transported across endothelial and myocyte membranes.
- Endothelial insulin receptors capture and deliver insulin to myocytes, which is essential for lipoprotein lipase synthesis and fatty acid esterification.
Conclusions:
- Fatty acids, monoacylglycerols, lipoprotein lipase, and insulin share a common transport route to myocytes but utilize different mechanisms.
- This pathway involves the plasma membranes of endothelial and muscle cells, transendothelial channels, and intercellular junctions.
- The vascular endothelium plays a dynamic and multifaceted role in regulating nutrient and hormonal delivery to cardiac and arterial myocytes.
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