The endothelium, a monolayer of endothelial cells, constitutes the inner cellular lining of the blood vessels (arteries, veins and capillaries) and the lymphatic system, and therefore is in direct contact with the blood/lymph and the circulating cells. The endothelium is a major player in the control of blood fluidity, platelet aggregation and vascular tone, a major actor in the regulation of immunology, inflammation and angiogenesis, and an important metabolizing and an endocrine organ. Endothelial cells controls vascular tone, and thereby blood flow, by synthesizing and releasing relaxing and contracting factors such as nitric oxide, metabolites of arachidonic acid via the cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases and cytochrome P450 pathways, various peptides (endothelin, urotensin, CNP, adrenomedullin, etc.), adenosine, purines, reactive oxygen species and so on. Additionally, endothelial ectoenzymes are required steps in the generation of vasoactive hormones such as angiotensin II. An endothelial dysfunction linked to an imbalance in the synthesis and/or the release of these various endothelial factors may explain the initiation of cardiovascular pathologies (from hypertension to atherosclerosis) or their development and perpetuation. Table of Contents: Introduction / Multiple Functions of the Endothelial Cells / Calcium Signaling in Vascular Cells and Cell-to-Cell Communications / Endothelium-Dependent Regulation of Vascular Tone / Conclusion / References

The opportunity that tissue engineering provides for medicine is extraordinary. In the United States alone, over half-a-trillion dollars are spent each year to care for patients who suffer from tissue loss or dysfunction. Although numerous books and reviews have been written on tissue engineering, none has been as comprehensive in its defining of the field. Principles of Tissue Engineering combines in one volume the prerequisites for a general understanding of tissue growth and development, the tools and theoretical information needed to design tissues and organs, as well as a presentation of applications of tissue engineering to diseases affecting specific organ systems. The first edition of the book, published in 1997, is the definite reference in the field. Since that time, however, the discipline has grown tremendously, and few experts would have been able to predict the explosion in our knowledge of gene expression, cell growth and differentiation, the variety of stem cells, new polymers and materials that are now available, or even the successful introduction of the first tissue-engineered products into the marketplace. There was a need for a new edition, and this need has been met with a product that defines and captures the sense of excitement, understanding and anticipation that has followed from the evolution of this fascinating and important field.Key Features* Provides vast, detailed analysis of research on all of the major systems of the human body, e.g., skin, muscle, cardiovascular, hematopoietic, and nerves* Essential to anyone working in the field* Educates and directs both the novice and advanced researcher* Provides vast, detailed analysis of research with all of the major systems of the human body, e.g. skin, muscle, cardiovascular, hematopoietic, and nerves* Has new chapters written by leaders in the latest areas of research, such as fetal tissue engineering and the universal cell* Considered the definitive reference in the field* List of contributors reads like a "who's who" of tissue engineering, and includes Robert Langer, Joseph Vacanti, Charles Vacanti, Robert Nerem, A. Hari Reddi, Gail Naughton, George Whitesides, Doug Lauffenburger, and Eugene Bell, among others

Regenerative Medicine for Peripheral Artery Disease is a comprehensive and up-to-date resource on the use of regenerative medicine for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease. This reference includes a general overview of regenerative medicine and covers important vascular topics, including intermittent claudication and critical limb ischemia, with important mechanisms clearly presented in full color images throughout the book. This important reference includes clear and concise information on both human clinical trials, as well as important and pertinent animal studies, and is a must-have reference for researchers and practitioners of peripheral artery disease. - Compiles and explains the rationale and history of different regenerative treatment concepts for peripheral artery disease in one reference - Presents pertinent animal studies and human clinical trials in the area of regenerative medicine for peripheral arterial disease, addressing both safety and efficacy of the clinical trials - Provides full-color images that demonstrate covered mechanisms - Includes access to a full-color website for further study

Kidney Transplantation, Bioengineering, and Regeneration: Kidney Transplantation in the Regenerative Medicine Era investigates how the field of regenerative medicine is changing the traditional premises of solid organ transplantation, specifically within the field of kidney transplantation. In Section 1, chapters illustrate the state of the art in kidney transplantation as well as the research behind the bioengineering and regeneration of kidney organoids for therapeutic renal replacement. In Section II, chapters catalog the technologies that are being developed and the methods that are being implemented to bioengineer or regenerate kidneys in order to restore function, while critically highlighting those technological advances which hold the most promise. The book thus encompasses clinical renal transplantation, tissue engineering, biomaterial sciences, stem cell biology, and developmental biology, as they are all applied to the kidney. - Focuses on the synergy between renal organ transplantation and regenerative medicine, highlighting the advances within transplantation, bioengineering, regeneration, and repair - Educates the transplant community on important regenerative medicine research pertinent to kidney transplantation - Develops a shared language for clinicians, surgeons, and basic researchers to reach across the fields of transplantation and regenerative medicine, and facilitate more productive investigation and research - Catalogs the technologies being developed and methods being implemented to bioengineer or regenerate kidneys to restore function

Stem Cell and Gene Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease is a state-of-the-art reference that combines, in one place, the breadth and depth of information available on the topic. As stem cell and gene therapies are the most cutting-edge therapies currently available for patients with heart failure, each section of the book provides information on medical trials from contributors and specialists from around the world, including not only what has been completed, but also what is planned for future research and trials. Cardiology researchers, basic science clinicians, fellows, residents, students, and industry professionals will find this book an invaluable resource for further study on the topic. - Provides information on stem and gene therapy medical trials from contributors and specialists around the world, including not only what has been completed, but also what is planned for future research and trials - Presents topics that can be applied to allogeneic cells, mesenchymal cells, gene therapy, cardiomyoctyes, iPS cells, MAPC's, and organogenesis - Covers the three areas with the greatest clinical trials to date: chronic limb ischemia, chronic angina, and acute MI - Covers the prevailing opinions on how to harness the body's natural repair mechanisms - Ideal resource for cardiology researchers, basic science clinicians, fellows, residents, students, and industry professionals

Translational Research in Coronary Artery Disease: Pathophysiology to Treatment covers the entire spectrum of basic science, genetics, drug treatment, and interventions for coronary artery disease. With an emphasis on vascular biology, this reference fully explains the fundamental aspects of coronary artery disease pathophysiology. Included are important topics, including endothelial function, endothelial injury, and endothelial repair in various disease states, vascular smooth muscle function and its interaction with the endothelium, and the interrelationship between inflammatory biology and vascular function. By providing this synthesis of current research literature, this reference allows the cardiovascular scientist and practitioner to access everything they need from one source. - Provides a concise summary of recent developments in coronary and vascular research, including previously unpublished data - Summarizes in-depth discussions of the pathobiology and novel treatment strategies for coronary artery disease - Provides access to an accompanying website that contains photos and videos of noninvasive diagnostic modalities for evaluation of coronary artery disease

The book provides a comprehensive overview of selected topics in microcirculation, from physiology to pathophysiology including molecular mechanisms and clinical aspects. It contains 10 chapters written by reputed authors, which comprehensively sum up the current knowledge and some interesting new insights in the field of microcirculation. It will be useful to a broad range of audience, from students to highly profiled experts, helping them to expand their knowledge on microcirculation and opening up additional questions for further investigation.

In this book, the authors present current research in the study of the biology, characterisation and potential clinical application of progenitor cells. Topics discussed include endothelial progenitor cells and cardiovascular disease; isolation, expansion and clinical therapy of human corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cells; genetically engineered blood pharming; regulation of neural progenitor cells by Wnt5a-signaling in the developmental central nervous system; endothelial progenitor cells in a clinical setting; role of microRNAs in endothelial progenitor cells and their implication for cardiac repair; and cellular origins in amphibian regeneration.

Regenerative Biology and Medicine, Second Edition — Winner of a 2013 Highly Commended BMA Medical Book Award for Medicine — discusses the fundamentals of regenerative biology and medicine. It provides a comprehensive overview, which integrates old and new data into an ever-clearer global picture. The book is organized into three parts. Part I discusses the mechanisms and the basic biology of regeneration, while Part II deals with the strategies of regenerative medicine developed for restoring tissue, organ, and appendage structures. Part III reflects on the achievements of regenerative biology and medicine; future challenges; bioethical issues that need to be addressed; and the most promising developments in regenerative medicine. The book is designed for multiple audiences: undergraduate students, graduate students, medical students and postdoctoral fellows, and research investigators interested in an overall synthesis of this field. It will also appeal to investigators from fields not directly related to regenerative biology and medicine, such as chemistry, informatics, computer science, mathematics, physics, and engineering. - Highly Commended 2013 BMA Medical Book Award for Medicine - Includes coverage of skin, hair, teeth, cornea, and central neural tissues - Provides description of regenetive medicine in digestive, respiratory, urogenital, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular systems - Includes amphibians as powerful research models with discussion of appendage regeneration in amphibians and mammals

The book discusses recent findings and current perspectives on therapeutic angiogenesis. Studies have shown that therapies such as cell implantation and transfer of gene encoding for angiogenic growth factors are effective in improving symptoms in patients with critical limb ischemia, who previously had no treatment option other than amputation. The book discusses these therapies and presents data collected in clinical studies over the past decade. Despite significant advances in therapeutic angiogenesis since the first clinical studies in the early 21st century, it has been largely ignored in the literature. This comprehensive book fills that gap, making it a valuable resource for both researchers and practitioners alike.