Shedding of the Glycocalyx and Capillary Hemodynamics

We know that the endothelial surface is coated with glycocalyx. But why should we be concerned about the effects of shedding the glycocalyx on microvascular hemodynamics? Editor in Chief William C. Stanley talks with senior author Herbert Lipowsky (Pennsylvania State University) and leading expert Jos A. Spaan (University of Amsterdam) about the unique model presented in the article by Lipowsky et al that mimics aspects of acute vascular inflammation and investigates how shedding of the glycocalyx impacts many pathologies including diabetes.

Herbert H. Lipowsky, Lujia Gao, and Anne Lescanic. Shedding of the Endothelial Glycocalyx in Arterioles, Capillaries and Venules and its Effect on Capillary Hemodynamics During Inflammation. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, published ahead of print September 16, 2011, doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00803.2011.