How Do Endothelial Cells Contribute to Vascular Function?

Endothelial cells line the interior surface of blood vessels and perform several critical functions:
- Regulating vascular tone through the production of vasodilators (e.g., nitric oxide) and vasoconstrictors (e.g., endothelin).
- Controlling permeability and selective transport of substances across the vessel wall.
- Mediating immune responses by expressing adhesion molecules that recruit leukocytes to sites of inflammation.
- Facilitating blood clotting and anti-clotting mechanisms through the production of various factors.