New developments in lung endothelial heterogeneity: Von willebrand factor, P-selectin, and the weibel-palade body

Cristhiaan D. Ochoa, Songwei Wu, Troy Stevens

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

57 Scopus citations

Abstract

Quiescent pulmonary endothelium establishes an antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory surface that promotes blood flow. However, the endothelium rapidly responds to injury and inflammation by promoting thrombosis and enabling the directed transmigration of inflammatory cells, such as neutrophils, into the alveolar airspace. Although the endothelial cell signals responsible for establishing a prothrombotic surface are distinct from those responsible for recognizing circulating neutrophils, these processes are highly interrelated. Von Willebrand factor (VWF)-stimulated secretion plays an important role in thrombus formation, and P-selectin surface expression plays a key role in neutrophil binding necessary for transmigration. Both VWF and P-selectin are located within Weibel-Palade bodies in pulmonary arteries and arterioles, yet Weibel-Palade bodies are absent in capillaries. Despite the absence of the Weibel-Palade bodies, pulmonary capillaries express both VWF and P-selectin. The physiological and pathophysiological significance of these observations is unclear. In this review, we address some anatomical and physiological features that distinguish pulmonary artery, capillary, and vein endothelium. In addition, we review our current understanding regarding the stimulated secretion of VWF and P-selectin in pulmonary artery and capillary endothelium. This information is considered in the context of vasculitis and pneumonia, two pathophysiological processes to which the stimulated secretion of VWF and P-selectin contribute.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)301-308
Number of pages8
JournalSeminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis
Volume36
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Acute lung injury
  • Coagulation
  • Permeability
  • Pneumonia
  • Thrombin
  • Vasculitis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hematology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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