Immunological Aspects of the Vascular Endothelium

An 1995 look at the functioning of the vascular endothelium, and the diseases that arise as a result of inflammation and immunological responses.

This 1995 book is about the vascular endothelium - the layer of cells that lines the inner side of all blood vessel walls. It describes the role of the endothelium in inflammation and immunity with particular regard for autoimmune kidney, rheumatic and neurological disease and transplantation.Originally published in 1995, this volume looks at the functioning of the vascular endothelium, and the diseases and tissue injury that arise as a result of inflammation and immunological responses. The vascular endothelium is a metabolically highly active layer of cells lining all blood vessel walls. Through its interactions with leucocytes and other mediators, it is central to the development of inflammatory foci and to lymphocyte trafficking around the body. Tissue injury may arise here as a result of abnormal inflammatory or immune responses. The potential for such injury to contribute to autoimmune disease is discussed in this book, particularly in relation to autoimmune vascular disease of the renal, rheumatological and neurological systems, as well as in organ transplantation.