Radiation-induced endothelial/vascular injury is a major complicating factor in radiotherapy
and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in nuclear or radiological catastrophes.
Exposure of tissue to ionizing radiation (IR) leads to the release of oxygen radicals and
proteases that result in loss of endothelial barrier function and leukocyte dysfunction leading
to tissue injury and organ damage. Microvascular endothelial cells are particularly sensitive
to IR and radiation-induced alterations in endothelial cell function are thought to be a critical …