Figure 1.

Main mechanisms of pathology in endothelium. Blood vessels are made up mainly of ECs and SMCs, which line the inside of the vessels, also covered by a layer of fibroblast that confers structure. After damage, multiple processes occur such as inflammation, increased oxidative stress, increased aerobic glycolysis in ECs, the transformation of ECs to MCs, vasoconstriction, and finally, vascular remodeling due to the proliferation of ECs and SMCs. All of this generates dysfunction of the endothelium, which reduces the amount of blood flow that can circulate through the vessels. This dysfunction is characteristic of the diseases discussed in this review. CO₂: carbon dioxide; EC: endothelial cell; EndMT: endothelial mesenchymal transition; ICAM-1: intercellular adhesion molecule 1; MC: mesenchymal cell; RNS: reactive nitrogen species; ROS: reactive oxygen species; O₂: oxygen; SMC: smooth muscle cell; VCAM-1: vascular cell adhesion molecule 1.