The microvascular endothelium in scleroderma

The endothelium: its role in scleroderma.

Vascular dysfunction, in particular microvascular pathology perhaps most closely associated with arterioles, is a cardinal sign in the development ofsystemic sclerosis (scleroderma). Altered vascular reactivity and structure provide only one element in a spectrum of pathological alterations associated with the clinical development of the disease. Nonetheless, the almost invariable pre-existence...

The isolation and culture of microvascular endothelium.

Transcytosis of alpha1-acidic glycoprotein in the continuous microvascular endothelium.

By using perfusions and bolus administration, coupled with postembedding immunocytochemical procedures, we have identified the structures involved in the transport of derivatized orosomucoid (alpha1-acidic glycoprotein) across the continuous microvascular endothelium of the murine myocardium. Our findings indicate that: (i) monomeric orosomucoid binds to the luminal surface of the endothelium; ...

Role of the microvascular endothelium in progressive renal disease.

The role of the vascular endothelium in progressive renal disease is not well understood. This review presents evidence that progressive renal disease is characterized by a progressive loss of the microvasculature. The loss of the microvasculature correlates directly with the development of glomerular and tubulointerstitial scarring. The mechanism is mediated in part by a reduction in the endot...

Morphometric analysis of CNS microvascular endothelium.

The ultrastructural features that are critical to the efficient functioning of the blood-brain barrier (b-bb) were quantified in typical barrier vessels, i.e., cerebral gray and white matter capillaries, and compared with the same parameters in cerebral nonbarrier capillaries (area postrema), and in somatic capillaries, (muscle) of the mouse. The image analysis was done with the help of a simpl...