Control of reendothelialization: the importance of endothelial microfilaments, microtubules and centrosomes in endothelial locomotion.

It appears then that the F-actin microfilaments and the centrosome and associated microtubules of the endothelial cytoskeleton are important in the repair of endothelial denudation. These dynamic cytoskeletal systems are able to act rapidly and can be regulated by a variety of factors including neighboring cells, extracellular matrix, and soluble factors in the environment. One testable hypothesis is that atherogenic agents which have been shown to enhance atherosclerosis may in fact act by perturbation of the endothelial cytoskeleton resulting in abnormal repair of the endothelial monolayer.