A review on the physiological and pathophysiological role of endothelial glycocalyx

• Published in: Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology Vol. 34; no. 11; pp. e22571 - n/a
• Main Authors: Liu, Huan‐qiu, Li, Ji, Xuan, Cheng‐luan, Ma, Hai‐chun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.11.2020
• Subjects: Blood vessels; Cell surface; Endothelial cells; glycocalyx; Glycoproteins; Glycosaminoglycans; Homeostasis; ischemia‐reperfusion injury; Leukocytes; Microvasculature; Pathophysiology; Permeability; Physiology; Plasma proteins; proteoglycan core proteins; Proteoglycans; Thromboembolism; Thrombosis
• ISSN: 1095-6670; 1099-0461
• DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22571

The glycocalyx is a gel‐like layer covering the luminal surface of vascular endothelial cells. It comprises of membrane‐attached proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycan chains, glycoproteins, and adherent plasma proteins. The glycocalyx maintains homeostasis of the vasculature, which includes controlling vascular permeability and microvascular tone, preventing microvascular thrombosis, and regulating leukocyte adhesion. In the past decades, the number of studies on endothelial glycocalyx has steadily grown. Glycocalyx emerged as an essential part of blood vessels involved in multiple physiological functions. Damage to glycocalyx is associated with many types of diseases. The structure and physiology and pathophysiology of the glycocalyx, as well as the clinical effects of glycocalyx degradation, are addressed throughout this study. We strive in particular to define therapeutic approaches for the survival or reparation of the glycocalyx.