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Endothelial barrier function in preeclampsia
Yuping Wang1, David F Lewis, J Steve Alexander
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71130, USA. ywang1@lsuhsc.edu
Insights
Preeclampsia, a pregnancy disorder, involves impaired endothelial barrier function and increased vascular permeability. Understanding these endothelial cell changes may lead to new treatments for this condition.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Vascular Biology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy characterized by endothelial dysfunction.
- Increased vascular permeability is a hallmark of preeclampsia, indicating a compromised endothelial barrier.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms underlying disturbed endothelial barrier function in preeclampsia.
- To discuss the relevance of endothelial cell responses to preeclampsia development and progression.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on endothelial function in preeclampsia.
- Analysis of cellular and molecular mechanisms of altered endothelial cell responses.
Main Results:
- Endothelial barrier dysfunction and increased vascular permeability are key features of preeclampsia.
- Research has significantly advanced understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of these endothelial changes.
Conclusions:
- Characterizing the endothelial cell phenotype in preeclampsia offers insights into disease mechanisms.
- Understanding endothelial responses may pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies for preeclampsia management.
Abstract:
Impaired endothelial barrier function resulting in increased vascular permeability is a characteristic vascular response in preeclampsia, a hypertensive and multiple systemic disorder of human pregnancy. During the last two decades, endothelial function in preeclampsia has been intensively studied and significant progress has been made in understanding the cellular and molecular bases of the altered endothelial cell response. In this review, we address the nature and mechanisms that are proposed to underlie the disturbed endothelial barrier function in preeclampsia and discuss the potential relevance of the endothelial cell responses to the initiation and/or progression of this vascular syndrome. Insights gained from the characterization of the endothelial cell phenotype assumed by the preeclamptic microvasculature may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for the management of this syndrome.
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