CYTOKINES, ADHESION MOLECULES, ANTIENDOTHELIAL CELL AUTOANTIBODIES AND VASCULAR-DISEASE

Vascular endothelial cells present a surface to circulating blood elem ents that is continuously changing its phenotype under the influence o f cytokines and other soluble mediators, and as a result of cell-cell interactions. Phenotypic changes enable endothelial cells to respond t o local environmental conditions, for example, promoting pro-inflammat ory or pro-coagulant properties. Antibodies may also develop to struct ures on this changing endothelial surface. The characteristics of anti endothelial cell antibodies identified to date and their perceived rol e in vascular disease is discussed. (C) 1997 by Elsevier Science Inc.