Regulation of Weibel-Palade body exocytosis.
Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs) are endothelial granules that store von Willebrand factor (VWF), P-selectin, and other vascular modulators. Endothelial cells secrete WPBs in response to vascular injury, releasing VWF, which triggers platelet rolling, and externalizing P-selectin, which activates leukocyte trafficking. Endothelial exocytosis is one of the earliest responses to vascular damage and plays a pivotal role in thrombosis and inflammation. This review examines the regulation of WPB exocytosis-the exocytic machinery, activators, and inhibitors of exocytosis-and speculates about the development of novel anti-exocytic drugs.
Lowenstein
Charles J
CJ
Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. clowenst@jhmi.edu
Morrell
Craig N
CN
Yamakuchi
Munekazu
M
D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D005089:Exocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000502:physiology; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000502:physiology; D050600:SNARE Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D020302:Weibel-Palade Bodies / Q000502:physiology*
D019007:P-Selectin; D050600:SNARE Proteins; D009569:Nitric Oxide