Endothelial barrier integrity is required for maintaining vascular homeostasis and fluid
balance between the circulation and surrounding tissues. In contrast, abnormalities of
endothelial cell function and loss of the integrity of the endothelial monolayer constitute a
key step in the onset of atherosclerosis. Endothelial erosion is directly responsible for
thrombus formation and cardiovascular events in about one-third of the cases of acute
coronary syndromes. Thus, after endothelial injury, the vascular repair process is crucial to …