Vascular endothelium and immune responses: implications for inflammation and angiogenesis

Endothelial cells (ECs) are involved in several mechanisms during the immune response, particularly in inflammation. Leukocyte-EC adhesion is regulated by the interactions of receptor-ligand adhesion molecule pairs, as well as by soluble mediators, such as proinflammatory cytokines. ECs are active participants in new vessel formation termed "angiogenesis." There have been several attempts to therapeutically interfere with the cellular and molecular mechanisms described above. Specific targeting of pathologic endothelial function may be useful for the future management of various inflammatory diseases.