Endothelial cell-cell junctions: Happy together

Junctional structures maintain the integrity of the endothelium. Recent studies have shown that, as well as promoting cell - cell adhesion, junctions might transfer intracellular signals that regulate contact-induced inhibition of cell growth, apoptosis, gene expression and new vessel formation. Moreover, modifications of the molecular organization and intracellular signalling of junctional proteins might have complex effects on vascular homeostasis.