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Endothelial Glycocalyx as a Regulator of Fibrotic Processes

2021; Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute; Volume: 22; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.3390/ijms22062996

1661-6596

Valentina Masola, Gianluigi Zaza, Arduino Arduini, Maurizio Onisto, Giovanni Gambaro,

Hemoglobin structure and function

The endothelial glycocalyx, the gel layer covering the endothelium, is composed of glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, and adsorbed plasma proteins. This structure modulates vessels' mechanotransduction, vascular permeability, and leukocyte adhesion. Thus, it regulates several physiological and pathological events. In the present review, we described the mechanisms that disturb glycocalyx stability such as reactive oxygen species, matrix metalloproteinases, and heparanase. We then focused our attention on the role of glycocalyx degradation in the induction of profibrotic events and on the possible pharmacological strategies to preserve this delicate structure.