The central role of the endothelium in the pathogenesis of vasculitides.
The pathogenesis of vasculitides is poorly understood. A growing body of evidence indicates that endothelium injury is a fundamental step in the development of all types of vasculitides. In the recent years, it has become evident that endothelial cell is responsible for a multiplicity of functions such as several immunological activities and the control of the vascular tone. The alteration of endothelium may result in metabolic and biologic disorders leading to pathologic changes. Even though the importance of endothelial cell is now demonstrated, the pathophysiological mechanisms able to induce the vascular damage are still not completely defined. In the next years, the better knowledge of the physiology of the endothelium might lead to a more appropriate therapy of vasculitis.
Lombardi
A
A
Institute of Internal Medicine IV, University of Florence, Italy.
Matucci-Cerinic
M
M
Pignone
A
A
Biagini
M
M
Kahaleh
B M
BM
D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology