Spatio-temporal specificity in trans-activation of the perlecan gene during development is key to the maturation of basement membranes and thus to the complete separation of epithelia from endothelia and stroma.
Diabetes and atherosclerosis are commonly associated syndromes. 80% of diabetes-associated deaths involve some form of atherosclerotic complication, and the basement membrane of endothelia has been implicated in the atherogenic process.
At this stage vascular and lymphatic endothelia were seen to be morphologically distinct and lymphatic vessels considered less important.
This approach takes advantage of the differences in particle distribution across blood and lymphatic endothelia.
Astroglia interact with cerebral endothelia to maintain the blood-brain barrier.
Barrier functions across epithelia and endothelia are essential for homeostatic tissue regulation.
However, other cell types such as astrocytes (b), oligodendrocytes, endothelia and even neurons may act as nonprofessional phagocytes.
