Endothelial cells (ECs) line the luminal surface of blood vessels and play a major role in vascular (patho)-physiology by acting as a barrier, sensing circulating factors and intrinsic/extrinsic signals. ECs have the capacity to undergo endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a complex differentiation process with key roles both during embryonic development and in adulthood. EndMT can contribute to EC activation and dysfunctional alterations associated with maladaptive tissue responses in human disease. During EndMT, ECs progressively undergo changes leading to expression of mesenchymal markers while repressing EC lineage-specific traits. This phenotypic and functional switch is considered to largely exist in a continuum, being characterized by a gradation of transitioning stages. In this report, we discuss process plasticity and potential reversibility and the hypothesis that different EndMT-derived cell populations may play a different role in disease progression or resolution. In addition, we review advancements in the EndMT field, current technical challenges, as well as therapeutic options and opportunities in the context of cardiovascular biology.

中文翻译：

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内皮细胞向间质细胞的转变：心血管健康和疾病的轴心

内皮细胞 (EC) 排列在血管腔表面，通过充当屏障、感知循环因子和内在/外在信号，在血管（病理）生理学中发挥重要作用。EC 具有经历内皮-间质转化 (EndMT) 的能力，这是一个复杂的分化过程，在胚胎发育和成年期都发挥着关键作用。EndMT 可以促进 EC 激活和与人类疾病中适应不良组织反应相关的功能障碍改变。在 EndMT 过程中，EC 逐渐发生变化，导致间充质标记物表达，同时抑制 EC 谱系特异性特征。这种表型和功能转换被认为主要存在于连续体中，其特征在于过渡阶段的分级。在本报告中，我们讨论了过程可塑性和潜在可逆性，以及不同 EndMT 衍生细胞群可能在疾病进展或消退中发挥不同作用的假设。此外，我们回顾了 EndMT 领域的进展、当前的技术挑战以及心血管生物学背景下的治疗选择和机遇。