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Intercellular matrix is made up out of 4 types of macromolecules: collagens, elastin, structural glycoproteins and proteoglycans. The vascular wall contains all of them, in various forms and in variable proportions. The aim of our investigation was to study the role of these intercellular matrix macromolecules in the regulation of the permeability of the vascular wall. As a matter of fact, vascular permeability is an important factor in normal as well as in pathological conditions. The exchange of metabolites between blood and fissues is a condition of the maintenance of physiological functions. This exchange takes place through the vascular wall, and particularly through the capillary wall. The main constituent of this latter is the basement membrane which contains collagen (type IV and V), associated with several structural glycoproteins (laminin, fibronectin, etc.) and proteoglycans (proteo-heparan sulfate). Greater vessels, such as aorta and elastic arteries also contain elastin as well as type I and Type HI collagen in the media and type IV and V and SC in the subendothelial layer. A metabolite, when passing from the blood to the tissues or vice-versa, has to meet all these macromolecules, which are able to influence its passage as they can act as permeability barriers. |
