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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
10:30
Analysis of Tubular Membrane Networks in Cardiac Myocytes from Atria and Ventricles
Published on: October 15, 2014
A review of string vessels or collapsed, empty basement membrane tubes
1Department of Radiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. wibrown@wfubmc.edu
Journal of Alzheimer'S Disease : JAD
|July 17, 2010
Summary
String vessels, remnants of capillaries, are found in various tissues and are linked to diseases like Alzheimer's. Their formation and disappearance offer insights into vascular health and aging.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Neuroscience
- Pathology
Background:
- String vessels are acellular capillary remnants found in various tissues, notably the central nervous system.
- They are associated with pathologies like Alzheimer's disease and ischemia, but also present in normal aging brains.
- String vessels serve as indicators of past capillary locations and undergo gradual disappearance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the formation and regression mechanisms of string vessels.
- To understand the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in capillary dynamics.
- To investigate the implications of capillary changes in aging and neurological conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on string vessel formation and capillary regression.
- Analysis of studies involving apoptosis, macrophages, and VEGF in vascular remodeling.
- Examination of age-related changes in VEGF expression and cerebral angiogenesis.
Main Results:
- Capillary regression involves apoptosis of endothelial cells and clearance by macrophages, potentially mediated by VEGF.
- VEGF, induced by hypoxia, promotes capillary growth but its age-related decline impairs angiogenesis.
- Cessation of blood flow and reduced shear stress contribute to endothelial cell survival loss.
Conclusions:
- String vessels provide a record of vascular damage and repair processes.
- Age-related decline in VEGF impacts cerebral angiogenesis, potentially leading to neuronal loss and reduced brain reserve.
- Understanding capillary dynamics is crucial for addressing age-related neurological decline and diseases.
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