Pulmonary vascular endothelium: the orchestra conductor in respiratory diseases

Abstract

The European Respiratory Society (ERS) Research Seminar entitled "Pulmonary vascular endothelium: orchestra conductor in respiratory diseases - highlights from basic research to therapy" brought together international experts in dysfunctional pulmonary endothelium, from basic science to translational medicine, to discuss several important aspects in acute and chronic lung diseases. This review will briefly sum up the different topics of discussion from this meeting which was held in Paris, France on October 27-28, 2016. It is important to consider that this paper does not address all aspects of endothelial dysfunction but focuses on specific themes such as: 1) the complex role of the pulmonary endothelium in orchestrating the host response in both health and disease (acute lung injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high-altitude pulmonary oedema and pulmonary hypertension); and 2) the potential value of dysfunctional pulmonary endothelium as a target for innovative therapies.

Smoking and COPD: Endothelium-Related and Neuro-mediated Emphysema Mechanisms

“…For the request "endothelium + COPD," it offers 335 publications, of which 72 after 2015, and for the request "endothelium + smoking," it offers 1859 publications, of which 188 after 2015. This indicates the relevance of this area of research and demonstrates the hopes of researchers finding new opportunities for therapeutic and prophylactic effects on this relationship in the pathogenesis of tobacco-related lesions, COPD, and emphysema [17][18][19][20][21][22][23].…”

Alveolar Epithelial Cell Type II as main target of SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19 development via NF-Kb pathway deregulation.

“…The pulmonary endothelium plays a leading role in lung damage, so much so that some authors have called it " the orchestra conductor in respiratory diseases " [44]. In the lung at rest the endothelium assumes an inhibitory effect on inflammation and coagulation, whereas after cytokines stimulation it converts to a pro-inflammatory phenotype [45].…”

Dysfunction and Restoration of Endothelial Cell Communications in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Therapeutic Implications

“…19.1). Indeed, the pulmonary ECs are highly metabolically active, sensing and responding to signals from extracellular environments by secreting the correct substance(s) by which it may maintain the vasomotor balance and vascular-tissue homeostasis [4]. As a vital part of the pulmonary vascular wall, alterations of the pulmonary endothelium are now well established to be central role in the pathogenesis of PAH.…”

“…Pulmonary endothelial dysfunction is a critical contributor that could be detrimental for the onset and progression of this severe cardiopulmonary disorder [2][3][4]. Therefore, early diagnosis and better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the altered pulmonary endothelial cell (EC) phenotype and endothelial communications with both resident vascular cells (smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and pericytes) and inflammatory cells are needed to propose and develop new, more adapted and more powerful therapeutic tools.…”