Diseases of the Arterial Wall [Paperback]

I Cellular and Molecular Biology of the Normal Arterial Wall.- 1 Endothelial and Smooth-Muscle Cells.- Structure of the Normal Arterial Wall.- The Endothelial Cell.- Biological Behaviour and Morphology of Endothelial Cells.- Functional Properties of Vascular Endothelium.- The Smooth-Muscle Cell.- Biological Behaviour of Smooth-Muscle Cells.- Functional Morphology of Vascular Smooth Muscle.- Interactions Between Endothelial and Smooth-Muscle Cells.- Communication Between Endothelial and Smooth-Muscle Cells Mediated Via Humoral Mechanisms.- Communication Between Endothelial and Smooth-Muscle Cells Mediated Via Direct Cell-to-Cell Contacts.- References.- 2 Extracellular Matrix of the Arterial Vessel Wall.- Collagens.- Biochemistry.- Morphology.- Elastin.- Biochemistry.- Morphology.- Proteoglycans.- Biochemistry.- Morphology.- Structural Glycoproteins.- Biochemistry.- Morphology.- General Arrangement of Extracellular Matrix of the Vascular Wall.- References.- 3 Organogenesis of the Arterial Wall.- Structural Organization of Vessel Walls.- Early Development of the Circulation.- Structural Organization of the Arterial Wall.- Static Mechanics.- Scleroproteins in the Aortic Wall.- Developmental Implications.- Arterial Wall Nutrition.- Exceptional Areas in Vascular Development.- Ductus Arteriosus.- Coarctation.- Coronary Vessels and Vascular Cushions.- Conclusions.- References.- 4 Age-Related Morphological Changes of the Arterial Wall.- Elastic-Type Arteries.- Muscular-Type Arteries.- Assessment of Ageing of the Arterial Wall.- References.- 5 Effects of Ageing on Arterial Cells In Vitro.- Cell Culture Techniques.- Smooth-Muscle Cells.- Endothelial Cells.- Growth of Arterial Cells.- Smooth-Muscle Cells.- Endothelial Cells.- Growth Factors and the Proliferation of Arterial Cells.- Metabolic Activities of Arterial Cells.- Glycosaminoglycans and Proteoglycans.- Fibrous Proteins: Collagen and Elastin.- Low-Density Lipoproteins.- Conclusion.- References.- 6 Structural Modifils