The Pulmonary Endothelium

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The pulmonary endothelium interacts with both blood and underlying vascular smooth muscle. As well as being critical for gas exchange, the lung endothelium is now implicated in the modulation of a variety of processes, such as inflammation, thrombosis, vasoconstriction, and vascular permeability. Our understanding of the pulmonary endothelium has increased enormously in recent years, particularly its role in several diseases, including pulmonary hypertension, emphysema, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and cancer. Research in many fields continues to elucidate how the pulmonary endothelium contributes to the etiology and pathophysiology of lung disease and to identify possible therapeutic strategies. This book clearly presents the current body of knowledge and explores how this knowledge may be applied to increase our understanding of disease and develop new types of treatment. Above all, it aims to improve the outcomes of acute and chronic lung diseases. The book is divided into three sections. The first describes the normal pulmonary endothelium, including development, structure, cell biology, signalling, function, heterogeneity, interactions with circulating cells and mesenchymal cells, and the endothelium of the bronchial circulation. The second section deals with mechanisms and consequences of pulmonary endothelial cell injury, ranging from effects on endothelial cells to organ injury, including protection against lung permeability and drug targeting to pulmonary endothelium. The third section focuses on the pulmonary endothelium in disease. * Describes and discusses the lung endothelium as the first and principal locus of blood-born information processing * Reviews maintenance of normal lung vascular tone and modulation of vasoconstriction * Discusses the lung endothelium in modulation of pulmonary vascular remodelling * Highlights recent work on the important role of the lung endothelium in the pathogenesis of lung diseases The Pulmonary Endothelium provides specialist physicians and clinical researchers in pulmonology, critical care, and allergy with the most up to date information on core physiological processes in lung disease, and offers insights into current and future approaches to management.