"Millions of Cracks" in Artery Wall = Leaky Junctions

In Tarbell's research, 90% of LDL, the delivery particle that solubilizes otherwise insoluble cholesterol gets through the first layer of an artery through a "leaky junction."  The normal pores in the first layer of an artery are just too small for anything other than albumin and micromolecules in water to get through.  Nothing gets through a tight junction.  Large gaps, leaky junctions, occur only when the layer of cells divides or is injured, pulling away from each other and revealing the subintimal layer.  Only 10% of LDL gets through by active vesicular consumption. 

Stretch and Shear Interactions Affect Intercellular Junction Protein Expression and Turnover in Endothelial Cells.

Shear stress and the endothelial transport barrier

"Million of Cracks in Artery Wall" = Leaky Junction