Cardiovascular disease is a prevalent condition characterized by a high incidence rate and mortality. Atherosclerosis (AS) serves as the underlying pathological mechanism for numerous cardiovascular diseases, primarily marked by lipid accumulation and plaque formation within arterial walls, thereby impacting tissue or organ ischemia or necrosis. This comprehensive article delves into the pivotal role of endothelial cells (ECs) in atherosclerosis, elucidating their mechanisms of injury and dysfunction, as well as their interactions with macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) during this process. The findings presented herein underscore the critical involvement of ECs in AS pathogenesis, emphasizing that mitigating damage to these cells and preserving their functionality can potentially ameliorate the onset and progression of AS. Our aim is to provide novel therapeutic avenues for AS.

心血管疾病是具有高发病率和高死亡率的常见疾病。动脉粥样硬化（AS）是多种心血管疾病的病理基础，其主要表现为动脉血管壁的脂质堆积和斑块形成，影响周围组织或器官缺血或坏死。本文系统讨论内皮细胞（ECs）在AS中的作用，总结了其损伤和功能障碍机制以及在AS中与巨噬细胞、血管平滑肌细胞之间的相互作用。本文表明ECs在AS中起到至关重要的作用，减轻其损伤及功能障碍有助于减轻AS的发生、发展，以期为AS的治疗提供新的方案。