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Endothelial Glycocalyx Turnover in Vascular Health and Disease : Rethinking Endothelial Dysfunction

Toledo, Alejandro Gomez LU ; Golden, Gregory J. ; Cummings, Richard D. ; Malmström, Johan LU orcid and Esko, Jeffrey D. (2025) In Annual Review of Biochemistry 94(1). p.561-586
Abstract

The endothelial glycocalyx, a glycan-rich layer on the luminal surface of endothelial cells lining blood and lymphatic vessels, plays a crucial role in vascular homeostasis by regulating vascular permeability, immune cell trafficking, and vascular tone. Dysregulated endothelial glycocalyx turnover—whether through altered synthesis, intracellular degradation, or shedding—contributes to endothelial dysfunction in conditions such as sepsis, ischemic events, and chronic inflammatory disorders including diabetes and atherosclerosis. In this review, we examine the structure, function, and turnover of the endothelial glycocalyx, emphasizing how pathological changes in its turnover drive vascular dysfunction. We also highlight diagnostic... (More)

The endothelial glycocalyx, a glycan-rich layer on the luminal surface of endothelial cells lining blood and lymphatic vessels, plays a crucial role in vascular homeostasis by regulating vascular permeability, immune cell trafficking, and vascular tone. Dysregulated endothelial glycocalyx turnover—whether through altered synthesis, intracellular degradation, or shedding—contributes to endothelial dysfunction in conditions such as sepsis, ischemic events, and chronic inflammatory disorders including diabetes and atherosclerosis. In this review, we examine the structure, function, and turnover of the endothelial glycocalyx, emphasizing how pathological changes in its turnover drive vascular dysfunction. We also highlight diagnostic approaches to evaluate dysregulated endothelial glycocalyx turnover in connection with vascular diseases and discuss therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing endothelial glycocalyx degradation and restoring endothelial function.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
endothelium, extracellular matrix, glycocalyx, infection, inflammation, vasculature
in
Annual Review of Biochemistry
volume
94
issue
1
pages
561 - 586
publisher
Annual Reviews
external identifiers
  • pmid:40132227
  • scopus:105009362175
ISSN
0066-4154
DOI
10.1146/annurev-biochem-032620-104745
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Publisher Copyright: © 2025 by the author(s).
id
83818c09-3f6e-4552-a095-e19fbf2a5177
date added to LUP
2025-07-16 09:43:14
date last changed
2025-07-21 12:26:50
@article{83818c09-3f6e-4552-a095-e19fbf2a5177,
  abstract     = {{<p>The endothelial glycocalyx, a glycan-rich layer on the luminal surface of endothelial cells lining blood and lymphatic vessels, plays a crucial role in vascular homeostasis by regulating vascular permeability, immune cell trafficking, and vascular tone. Dysregulated endothelial glycocalyx turnover—whether through altered synthesis, intracellular degradation, or shedding—contributes to endothelial dysfunction in conditions such as sepsis, ischemic events, and chronic inflammatory disorders including diabetes and atherosclerosis. In this review, we examine the structure, function, and turnover of the endothelial glycocalyx, emphasizing how pathological changes in its turnover drive vascular dysfunction. We also highlight diagnostic approaches to evaluate dysregulated endothelial glycocalyx turnover in connection with vascular diseases and discuss therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing endothelial glycocalyx degradation and restoring endothelial function.</p>}},
  author       = {{Toledo, Alejandro Gomez and Golden, Gregory J. and Cummings, Richard D. and Malmström, Johan and Esko, Jeffrey D.}},
  issn         = {{0066-4154}},
  keywords     = {{endothelium; extracellular matrix; glycocalyx; infection; inflammation; vasculature}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{06}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{561--586}},
  publisher    = {{Annual Reviews}},
  series       = {{Annual Review of Biochemistry}},
  title        = {{Endothelial Glycocalyx Turnover in Vascular Health and Disease : Rethinking Endothelial Dysfunction}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-biochem-032620-104745}},
  doi          = {{10.1146/annurev-biochem-032620-104745}},
  volume       = {{94}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}