Plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 can regulate myoendothelial junction formation

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 regulates myoendothelial junction formation.

RATIONALE Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is a biomarker for several vascular disease states; however, its target of action within the vessel wall is undefined. OBJECTIVE Determine the ability of PAI-1 to regulate myoendothelial junction (MEJ) formation. METHODS AND RESULTS MEJs are found throughout the vasculature linking endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells. ...

Cellular Biology Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Regulates Myoendothelial Junction Formation

mrNa Binding Protein Complex Promotes Localized Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 accumulation at the Myoendothelial Junction

The myoendothelial junction (MEJ) is a heterocellular junction located predominantly within the resistance vasculature and comprises vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and endothelial cell (EC) extensions that extend from each cell type into the internal elastic lamina and form a close apposition with the opposing cell membrane. The MEJ is presumed to be a highly organized signaling microdoma...

A novel mRNA binding protein complex promotes localized plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 accumulation at the myoendothelial junction.

OBJECTIVE Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) has previously been shown to be key to the formation of myoendothelial junctions (MEJs) in normal and pathological states (eg, obesity). We therefore sought to identify the mechanism whereby PAI-1 could be selectively accumulated at the MEJ. METHODS AND RESULTS We identified PAI-1 protein enrichment at the MEJ in obese mice and in response t...

Regulation of myoendothelial junction formation: bridging the gap.

In this issue of Circulation Research, Heberlein et al1 provide exciting new insight into the actions of plasminogen activator (PA) inhibitor (PAI)-1 by illuminating its role in governing the ability of endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to communicate with each other through specialized contacts defined as myoendothelial junctions (MEJs). In the resistance vascula...