Lamellipodia dynamics and microrheology in endothelial cell paracellular gap closure.

ABSTRACT: Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) form a semipermeable barrier separating vascular contents from the interstitium, thereby regulating the movement of water and molecular solutes across small intercellular gaps, which are continuously forming and closing. Under inflammatory conditions, however, larger EC gaps form resulting in increased vascular leakiness to circulating fluid, proteins, and cells, which results in organ edema and dysfunction responsible for key pathophysiologic findings in numerous inflammatory disorders. In this study, we extend our earlier work examining the biophysical properties of EC gap formation and now address the role of lamellipodia, thin sheet-like membrane projections from the leading edge, in modulating EC spatial-specific contractile properties and gap closure.

SUBMITTER: Arce FT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10754712 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature