Figure 1.

The entrance of LDL in the arterial intima of healthy vessels is determined by the glycocalyx and endothelial vesicles (1A). In vessels where the glycocalyx is compromised, the entrance of LDL in the arterial intima is determined by endothelial vesicles (1B) and open endothelial junctions (1C). The efflux occurs through the IEL (2) and the backward diffusion (3A and 3B), which may be of minor relevance as it goes against hydraulic conductivity. LDL can be trapped by binding to the extracellular matrix (ECM) (4). Adapted from Fry.¹⁹