title: Endothelial permeability and VE-cadherin: a wacky comradeship.
abstract: The endothelium forms a selective semi-permeable barrier controlling bidirectional transfer between blood vessel and irrigated tissues. This crucial function relies on the dynamic architecture of endothelial cell–cell junctions, and in particular, VE -cadherin-mediated contacts. VE -cadherin indeed chiefly organizes the opening and closing of the endothelial barrier, and is central in permeability changes. In this review, the way VE -cadherin-based contacts are formed and maintained is first presented, including molecular traits of its expression, partners, and signaling. In a second part, the mechanisms by which VE -cadherin adhesion can be disrupted, leading to cell–cell junction weakening and endothelial permeability increase, are described. Overall, the molecular basis for VE -cadherin control of the endothelial barrier function is of high interest for biomedical research, as vascular leakage is observed in many pathological conditions and human diseases.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gavard
mesh_terms: D022005:Adherens Junctions / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics*; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000235:genetics*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000235:genetics*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction; D019108:Tight Junctions / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000099152:Cadherin 5
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D015820:Cadherins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D051176:beta Catenin; D000099152:Cadherin 5