| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32060 | Nano Today | 2015 | 18 Pages |
•We review the key features of a functioning and a malfunctioning endothelium.•We highlight endothelial pathologies in asthma, burns, heart failure, and more.•We discuss overlapping pathologies between diabetes, atherosclerosis, and cancer.•The VEGF pathway is a possible target for treating multiple endothelial disorders.•Nanotechnology can provide safer treatments and better in vivo study validations.
SummaryThe endothelium lines the internal surfaces of blood and lymphatic vessels and has a critical role in maintaining homeostasis. Endothelial dysfunction is involved in the pathology of many diseases and conditions, including disorders such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Given this common etiology in a range of diseases, medicines targeting an impaired endothelium can strengthen the arsenal of therapeutics. Nanomedicine – the application of nanotechnology to healthcare – presents novel opportunities and potential for the treatment of diseases associated with an impaired endothelium. This review discusses therapies currently available for the treatment of these disorders and highlights the application of nanomedicine for the therapy of these major disease complications.
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