Endothelial cells in hemostasis, thrombosis, and inflammation.

Once regarded as an inert lining, the vascular endothelium is now known to synthesize a variety of molecules that can protect against or promote disease. These important agents include prostacyclin, thrombomodulin, plasminogen activators, and ecto-enzymes. Our growing understanding of their protective and pathologic roles has already provided new therapeutic strategies.