Mechanisms of Endothelial Cell Membrane Repair: Progress and Perspectives

• Published in: Cells (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 12; no. 22; p. 2648
• Main Authors: Zha, Duoduo, Wang, Shizhen, Monaghan-Nichols, Paula, Qian, Yisong, Sampath, Venkatesh, Fu, Mingui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01.11.2023
• Subjects: Annexins; Arteriosclerosis; Atherosclerosis; Blood vessels; Cardiomyocytes; Cardiovascular diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases - metabolism; Cell death; Cell Membrane - metabolism; cell membrane repair; Cell membranes; dysferlin; Eggs; Endocytosis; Endothelial Cells; Exocytosis; Health aspects; Homeostasis; Humans; Lipids; Membranes; Musculoskeletal system; Plasma; Plasma membranes; Proteins; Stroke; Stroke - metabolism; Vascular endothelium; United States; cell membrane repair; annexins; endothelial cells; cardiovascular diseases; dysferlin
• ISSN: 2073-4409; 2073-4409
• DOI: 10.3390/cells12222648

Endothelial cells are the crucial inner lining of blood vessels, which are pivotal in vascular homeostasis and integrity. However, these cells are perpetually subjected to a myriad of mechanical, chemical, and biological stresses that can compromise their plasma membranes. A sophisticated repair system involving key molecules, such as calcium, annexins, dysferlin, and MG53, is essential for maintaining endothelial viability. These components orchestrate complex mechanisms, including exocytosis and endocytosis, to repair membrane disruptions. Dysfunctions in this repair machinery, often exacerbated by aging, are linked to endothelial cell death, subsequently contributing to the onset of atherosclerosis and the progression of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and stroke, major causes of mortality in the United States. Thus, identifying the core machinery for endothelial cell membrane repair is critically important for understanding the pathogenesis of CVD and stroke and developing novel therapeutic strategies for combating CVD and stroke. This review summarizes the recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of endothelial cell membrane repair. The future directions of this research area are also highlighted.