title: Endothelial maintenance in health and disease: Importance of sex differences.
abstract: The vascular endothelium has emerged as more than just an inert monolayer of cells lining the vascular bed. It represents the interface between the blood stream and vessel wall, and has a strategic role in regulating vascular homeostasis by the release of vasoactive substances. Endothelial dysfunction contributes to the development and progression of cardiovascular disease. Recognition of sex-specific factors implicated in endothelial cell biology is important for the identification of clinically relevant preventive and/or therapeutic strategies. This review aims to give an overview of the recent advances in understanding the importance of sex specific observations in endothelial maintenance, both in healthy and diseased conditions. The female endothelium is highlighted in the context of polycystic ovary syndrome and pre-eclampsia. Furthermore, sex differences are explored in chronic kidney disease, which is currently appreciated as one of public health priorities. Overall, this review endorses integration of sex analysis in experimental and patient-oriented research in the exciting field of vascular biology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Division of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Neja
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mudrovcic
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Division of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Samsul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arefin
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Division of Renal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Amaryllis H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Van Craenenbroeck
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Division of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Division of Renal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Centre for Gender Medicine, Department of Medicine-Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: karolina.kublickiene@ki.se.
authors.forename: Karolina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kublickiene
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide
keywords: Cardiovascular; Endothelium; Hormones; Nitric oxide; Sex