In Brief: Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Area of Science:

• Cell Biology
• Pathology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) is increasingly recognized for its role in human diseases.
• EndoMT involves endothelial cells losing their specialized characteristics to become mesenchymal-like cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the therapeutic potential of modulating EndoMT pathways.
• To investigate the application of EndoMT in tissue engineering for generating multipotent cells.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent evidence on EndoMT.
• Analysis of molecular pathways controlling EndoMT.
• Assessment of EndoMT's role in disease pathogenesis and tissue regeneration.

Main Results:

• EndoMT generates unspecialized mesenchymal-like cells.
• These cells can differentiate into various mesodermal cell types (osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes).
• Modulation of EndoMT pathways presents a viable therapeutic strategy.

Conclusions:

• Targeting EndoMT molecular pathways offers a promising therapeutic approach for various human pathologies.
• EndoMT can be utilized in tissue engineering to produce multipotent mesenchymal cells for regenerative purposes.