How Do Inflammatory Mediators Affect Vascular Permeability?
Inflammatory mediators such as histamine, bradykinin, and cytokines like IL-1 and TNF-α play a crucial role in modulating vascular permeability. These molecules can:
Induce endothelial cell contraction Disrupt tight junctions Promote the formation of gaps between endothelial cells
This increased permeability allows immune cells and proteins to exit the bloodstream and reach sites of infection or injury.