Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Quantifying the Mechanical Properties of the Endothelial Glycocalyx with Atomic Force Microscopy
Published on: February 21, 2013
John squire and endothelial glycocalyx structure: an unfinished story
Kenton P Arkill1, C Charles Michel2, Elizabeth V M Rider3
1School of Medicine, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK. kenton.arkill@nottingham.ac.uk.
Insights
This review highlights John Squire's contributions to vascular permeability and endothelial glycocalyx research. His work is reinterpreted to align with current understanding of glycocalyx structure and composition.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Physiology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- John Squire made significant contributions to the fields of muscle physiology and vascular permeability.
- His research utilized ultrastructural analysis to investigate the endothelial glycocalyx.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review John Squire's contributions to the vascular permeability field.
- To re-evaluate his work in light of current understanding of endothelial glycocalyx structure and composition.
Main Methods:
- Review of John Squire's published works.
- Ultrastructural analysis of the endothelial glycocalyx.
- Reinterpretation of existing data in the context of current knowledge.
Main Results:
- Squire's research advanced the understanding of endothelial glycocalyx.
- A reinterpretation links his work to current models predicting 6 glycosaminoglycans fibers per syndecan core protein.
- Endothelial dimerization is proposed as the mechanism for achieving this structure.
Conclusions:
- John Squire's legacy extends beyond muscle research into vascular permeability.
- His foundational work on the endothelial glycocalyx provides insights into its structure and function.
- The proposed model of glycocalyx structure has implications for understanding vascular permeability.
Abstract:
John Squire did not only produce leading works in the muscle field, he also significantly contributed to the vascular permeability field by ultrastructural analysis of the endothelial glycocalyx. Presented here is a review of his involvement in the field by his main collaborator C.C. Michel and his last postdoctoral researcher KP Arkill. We end on a reinterpretation of his work that arguably links to our current understanding of endothelial glycocalyx structure and composition predicting 6 glycosaminoglycans fibres per syndecan core protein, only achieved in the endothelium by dimerization.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Protein Glycosylation
Glycosylation occurs in...
Overview of the Vascular System
Proteoglycans
Selectins
Glycocalyx and its Functions
Components of...
Surface Membrane Barriers
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...

