The glycocalyx of the endothelium is an intravascular compartment that creates a barrier between circulating blood and the vessel wall. The glycocalyx is suggested to play an important role in numerous physiological processes including the regulation of vascular permeability, the prevention of the margination of blood cells to the vessel wall, and the transmission of shear stress. Various theoretical models and experimental approaches provide data about changes to the structure and functions of the glycocalyx under various types of inflammatory conditions. These alterations are suggested to promote inflammatory processes in vessels and contribute to the pathogenesis of number of diseases. In this review we summarize current knowledge about the modulation of the glycocalyx under inflammatory conditions and the consequences for the course of inflammation in vessels. The structure and functions of endothelial glycocalyx are briefly discussed in the context of methodological approaches regarding the determination of endothelial glycocalyx and the uncertainty and challenges involved in glycocalyx structure determination. In addition, the modulation of glycocalyx structure under inflammatory conditions and the possible consequences for pathogenesis of selected diseases and medical conditions (in particular, diabetes, atherosclerosis, ischemia/reperfusion, and sepsis) are summarized. Finally, therapeutic strategies to ameliorate glycocalyx dysfunction suggested by various authors are discussed.

Heart Center Department of Cardiology and Cologne Cardiovascular Research Center University of Cologne 50937 Cologne Germany

Institute of Biophysics Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Kralovopolska 135 612 65 Brno Czech Republic ; Institute of Experimental Biology Department of Physiology and Immunology of Animals Faculty of Science Masaryk University Kotlářská 2 611 37 Brno Czech Republic

Institute of Biophysics Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Kralovopolska 135 612 65 Brno Czech Republic ; International Clinical Research Center Center of Biomolecular and Cellular Engineering St Anne's University Hospital Brno 656 91 Brno Czech Republic

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