The vascular barrier between blood and tissues is a highly selective structure that is essential to maintain tissue homeostasis. Defects in the vascular barrier lead to a variety of cardiovascular diseases. The maintenance of vascular barriers is largely dependent on endothelial cells, but the precise mechanisms remain elusive. Recent studies reveal that primary cilia, microtubule-based structures that protrude from the surface of endothelial cells, play a critical role in the regulation of vascular barriers. Herein, we discuss recent advances on ciliary functions in the vascular barrier and suggest that ciliary signaling pathways might be targeted to modulate the vascular barrier.

血液和组织之间的血管屏障是高度选择性的结构，对于维持组织的动态平衡至关重要。血管屏障的缺陷会导致多种心血管疾病。血管屏障的维持在很大程度上取决于内皮细胞，但是确切的机制仍然难以捉摸。最近的研究表明，从内皮细胞表面突出的基于纤毛的初级纤毛结构在调节血管屏障中起着至关重要的作用。在本文中，我们讨论了血管屏障中纤毛功能的最新进展，并提出了纤毛信号传导途径可能以调节血管屏障为靶标。