Context (archaeology)

Cell biology

Neuroscience

Biology

Permeability (electromagnetism)

Biochemistry

Barrier function

Paleontology

Homeostasis

Membrane

Vascular permeability

Medicine

Disease

Pathology

Trends in Molecular Medicine

Leakage from blood vessels into tissues is governed by mechanisms that control endothelial barrier function to maintain homeostasis. Dysregulated endothelial permeability contributes to many conditions and can influence disease morbidity and treatment. Diverse approaches used to study endothelial permeability have yielded a wealth of valuable insights. Yet, ongoing questions, technical challenges, and unresolved controversies relating to the mechanisms and relative contributions of barrier regulation, transendothelial sieving, and transport of fluid, solutes, and particulates complicate interpretations in the context of vascular physiology and pathophysiology. Here, we describe recent in vivo findings and other advances in understanding endothelial barrier function with the goal of identifying and reconciling controversies over cellular and molecular processes that regulate the vascular barrier in health and disease.

Permeability of the Endothelial Barrier: Identifying and Reconciling Controversies