The vascular endothelium plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis, mediated by vasoactive molecules produced by endothelial cells. The balance between vasoconstrictor and vasodilator biomolecules is what guarantees this equilibrium.
Therefore, an increase in the bioavailability of vasoconstrictors along with a reduction in vasodilators may indicate a condition known as endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction is marked by an inflammatory process and reduced activity of vasoprotective enzymes, being characterized by some factors like the reduction of the bioavailability of nitric oxide NO and increase in the production of reactive oxygen species ROS , pro-inflammatory and vasoconstrictor molecules. This condition is a predictive marker of several cardiovascular diseases e.
Research is affected by the scarcity of suitable in vitro models that simulate endothelial dysfunction. The goal of this study was to induce an in vitro condition to mimic endothelial dysfunction by inhibiting NO synthesis in cells.
Thymus-derived endothelial cells tEnd. These cells not only act as a tissue barrier because of tight junctions Cong and Kong, , but also exhibit important biological functions, producing very active biomolecules in the vasculature Sena et al.
Also, they perform important functions as regulators of angiogenesis, regeneration, cell differentiation Ribatti et al. This diversity of functions reflects the heterogeneity of these cells along the vascular tree Hennigs et al.
