Breaking the VE-cadherin bonds

TL;DR

This paper discusses how VE-cadherin bonds regulate endothelial barrier integrity, highlighting mechanisms of junction destabilization by permeability factors and protective effects of anti-permeability factors, impacting vascular function understanding.

Contribution

It reveals molecular pathways by which permeability factors disrupt VE-cadherin bonds, offering insights into vascular permeability regulation and angiogenesis.

Findings

Permeability inducing factors destabilize VE-cadherin junctions.

Anti-permeability factors protect and strengthen cell cohesion.

VE-cadherin dynamics influence vascular remodeling.

Abstract

Exchanges between the blood compartment and the surrounding tissues require a tight regulation by the endothelial barrier. Recent reports inferred that VE-cadherin, an endothelial specific cell-cell adhesion molecule, plays a pivotal role in the formation, maturation and remodeling of the vascular wall. Indeed, a growing number of permeability inducing factors (PIFs) was shown to elicit signaling mechanisms culminating in VE-cadherin destabilization and global alteration of the junctional architecture. Conversely, anti-PIFs protect from VE-cadherin disruption and enhance cell cohesion. These findings provide evidence on how endothelial cell-cell junctions impact the vascular network, and change our perception about normal and aberrant angiogenesis.