Fluid shear stress alters the function of vascular cells, leading to adaptive tissue responses and changes in structure, metabolism, and gene expression.
This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms by which fluid shear stress regulates gene expression and mechanotransduction in vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells.
Hemodynamic forces such as fluid shear stress play an active role in many physiological and pathophysiological processes of the cardiovascular system. Shear stress resulting from blood flow and transmural plasma flux alters the function of vascular cell (primarily endothelial cells), leading to both rapid and slower adaptive tissue responses. Transmission of the shear stress signal throughout the vascular cell involves a complex interplay between cytoskeletal and biochemical elements and results in changes in structure, metabolism, and gene expression. Herein we review current knowledge on flow-induced mechanotransduction in the vascular endothelial cell and the molecular mechanisms believed responsible for shear-induced endothelial and smooth muscle cell gene regulation with an emphasis on signal transduction.
Papadaki et al. (Thu,) conducted a review in Cardiovascular system physiology. Fluid shear stress was evaluated. Fluid shear stress alters the function of vascular cells, leading to adaptive tissue responses and changes in structure, metabolism, and gene expression.