18 Vascular endothelium

Question 1

What are the functions of endothelium

Answer 1

1. Inflammation
2. Vascular tone
3. Angiogenesis
4. Permeability
5. Thrombosis and haemostasis

Question 2

What are the characteristics of resting endothelial cells

Answer 2

Anti-thrombotic
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-angiogenic

Question 3

List endothelial dysfunctions that can contribute to atherosclerosis

Answer 3

1. Permeability
2. Leukocyte adhesions
3. Blood flow
4. Angiogenesis
5. Endothelial senescence

Question 4

How does endothelial permeability lead to atherosclerosis

Answer 4

Activated endothelium is more leaky to allow LDL transmigration

Question 5

How does blood flow modulate atherosclerosis

Answer 5

Turbulent blood flow promotes

1. Endothelial apoptosis
2. Leukocyte adhesion
3. Coagulation and thrombosis
4. Inhibit nitric oxide
5. VSMC proliferation

Question 6

What are the key mechanisms of epigenetics

Answer 6

Methylation
Histone modification
miRNA

Question 7

How does blood flow regulate epigenetic changes

Answer 7

Laminar flow downregulates DNA methyltransferase which enable anti-atherogenic genes such as Klf4 and Hox5 to remain demethylated enabling their expression

Question 8

How does blood flow regulate epigenetic changes

Answer 8

Laminar flow downregulates DNA methyltransferase which enable anti-atherogenic genes such as Klf4 and Hox5 to remain demethylated enabling their expression

Question 9

How does endothelial senescence contribute to atherosclerosis

Answer 9

It is proinflammatory and prothrombotic

Endothelial senescence can be induced by oxidative risk and other CVS risk factors and ageging