"Endothelial cell signalling"

    As any unicellular organism and cells within a tissue, endothelial cells have to integrate extracellular stimuli from the environment into biological responses. This vascular lining utilizes multiple forms of signaling including cell-cell interactions, cell-extracellular matrix engagements, and the secretion of paracrine and autocrine factors. The endothelial sensing and transduction machineries include cell surface, adaptor and effector proteins, as well as secondary messengers and cytoskeletal elements. Collectively, the integration of multiple signals in the context of specific cellular environments is critical for endothelial plasticity in adaptive and pathological processes