Research Progress and Molecular Mechanisms of Endothelial Cells Inflammation in Vascular-Related Diseases

Jiaojiao Xue,1 Ziwei Zhang,1 Yuting Sun,2 Di Jin,3 Liming Guo,1 Xiangyan Li,4 Daqing Zhao,4 Xiaochun Feng,5 Wenxiu Qi,4 Haoyu Zhu5 1College of Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Endocrinology, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Nephrology, First Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, People’s Republic of China; 4Northeast Asia Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Key Laboratory of Active Substances and Biological Mechanisms of Ginseng Efficacy, Ministry of Education, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules of Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Nephropathy and Rheumatology in Children, Children’s Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Wenxiu Qi, Northeast Asia Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Key Laboratory of Active Substances and Biological Mechanisms of Ginseng Efficacy, Ministry of Education, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules of Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, 130117, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-431-860177630, Email qiwenxiu0517@163.com Haoyu Zhu, Department of Nephropathy and Rheumatology in Children, Children’s Medical Center, First Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, 130021, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-431-81953813, Email doctorzhuhaoyu163@163.comAbstract: Endothelial cells (ECs) are widely distributed inside the vascular network, forming a vital barrier between the bloodstream and the walls of blood vessels. These versatile cells serve myriad functions, including the regulation of vascular tension and the management of hemostasis and thrombosis. Inflammation constitutes a cascade of biological responses incited by biological, chemical, or physical stimuli. While inflammation is inherently a protective mechanism, dysregulated inflammation can precipitate a host of vascular pathologies. ECs play a critical role in the genesis and progression of vascular inflammation, which has been implicated in the etiology of numerous vascular disorders, such as atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus, and sepsis. Upon activation, ECs secrete potent inflammatory mediators that elicit both innate and adaptive immune reactions, culminating in inflammation. To date, no comprehensive and nuanced account of the research progress concerning ECs and inflammation in vascular-related maladies exists. Consequently, this review endeavors to synthesize the contributions of ECs to inflammatory processes, delineate the molecular signaling pathways involved in regulation, and categorize and consolidate the various models and treatment strategies for vascular-related diseases. It is our aspiration that this review furnishes cogent experimental evidence supporting the established link between endothelial inflammation and vascular-related pathologies, offers a theoretical foundation for clinical investigations, and imparts valuable insights for the development of therapeutic agents targeting these diseases.Keywords: endothelial cells, endothelial inflammation, vascular-related diseases, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases