Atherosclerosis, endothelium and plasma membrane lipid polarity.

A number of early events in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis takes place at the luminal surface of arterial endothelial cells. A key role in this process is played by plasma lipids, especially cholesterol. The lipid composition and organization of the luminal plasma membrane of the endothelial cells, however, is fully unknown. In the present paper, endothelial cells are compared to other types of epithelial cells. From this, it is predicted that also in arterial endothelial cells the luminal surface is an exceptionally rigid membrane, completely covered by glycosphingolipids.