title: Update on pulmonary edema: the role and regulation of endothelial barrier function.
abstract: Discovery of the pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to pulmonary edema and identification of effective strategies for prevention remain significant clinical concerns. Endothelial barrier function is a key component for maintenance of the integrity of the vascular boundary in the lung, particularly since the gas exchange surface area of the alveolar-capillary membrane is large. This review is focused on new insights in the pulmonary endothelial response to injury and recovery, reversible activation by edemagenic agents, and the biochemical/structural basis for regulation of endothelial barrier function. This information is discussed in the context of fundamental concepts of lung fluid balance and pulmonary function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine & Roudebush VA Med. Center, Indianapolis 46202, USA.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lum
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015824:Blood-Air Barrier / Q000502:physiology*; D002196:Capillaries / Q000737:chemistry / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000502:physiology