Endothelial cells display an extraordinary plasticity both during development and throughout adult life. During early development, endothelial cells assume arterial, venous, or lymphatic identity, while selected endothelial cells undergo additional fate changes to become hematopoietic progenitor, cardiac valve, and other cell types. Adult endothelial cells are some of the longest-lived cells in the body and their participation as stable components of the vascular wall is critical for the proper function of both the circulatory and lymphatic systems, yet these cells also display a remarkable capacity to undergo changes in their differentiated identity during injury, disease, and even normal physiological changes in the vasculature. Here, we discuss how endothelial cells become specified during development as arterial, venous, or lymphatic endothelial cells or convert into hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells or cardiac valve cells. We compare findings from in vitro and in vivo studies with a focus on the zebrafish as a valuable model for exploring the signaling pathways and environmental cues that drive these transitions. We also discuss how endothelial plasticity can aid in revascularization and repair of tissue after damage- but may have detrimental consequences under disease conditions. By better understanding endothelial plasticity and the mechanisms underlying endothelial fate transitions, we can begin to explore new therapeutic avenues.

内皮细胞在发育过程和整个成年生活中都表现出非凡的可塑性。在早期发育过程中，内皮细胞具有动脉、静脉或淋巴的特性，而选定的内皮细胞经历额外的命运变化，成为造血祖细胞、心脏瓣膜和其他细胞类型。成人内皮细胞是体内寿命最长的细胞之一，它们作为血管壁的稳定成分参与对于循环系统和淋巴系统的正常功能至关重要，但这些细胞也表现出显着的能力来经历变化它们在受伤、疾病甚至脉管系统正常生理变化期间的不同身份。在这里，我们讨论内皮细胞如何在发育过程中被指定为动脉、静脉、或淋巴管内皮细胞或转化为造血干细胞和祖细胞或心脏瓣膜细胞。我们比较了体外和体内研究的结果，重点将斑马鱼作为探索驱动这些转变的信号通路和环境线索的有价值模型。我们还讨论了内皮可塑性如何有助于损伤后组织的血运重建和修复——但在疾病条件下可能会产生有害后果。通过更好地了解内皮可塑性和内皮命运转变的机制，我们可以开始探索新的治疗途径。我们比较了体外和体内研究的结果，重点将斑马鱼作为探索驱动这些转变的信号通路和环境线索的有价值模型。我们还讨论了内皮可塑性如何有助于损伤后组织的血运重建和修复——但在疾病条件下可能会产生有害后果。通过更好地了解内皮可塑性和内皮命运转变的机制，我们可以开始探索新的治疗途径。我们比较了体外和体内研究的结果，重点将斑马鱼作为探索驱动这些转变的信号通路和环境线索的有价值模型。我们还讨论了内皮可塑性如何有助于损伤后组织的血运重建和修复——但在疾病条件下可能会产生有害后果。通过更好地了解内皮可塑性和内皮命运转变的机制，我们可以开始探索新的治疗途径。