Mechanotransduction in vascular physiology and pathology

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Endothelial cells that line blood vessels are constantly exposed to forces, such as shear stress, dueto the flowing blood. These forces are not only critical for vascular development, but also regulatevessel physiology and disease postnatally. Shear stress is sensed by mechanoreceptors expressedon endothelial surfaces which decode mechanical signals into biochemical signalling cascades thatwill ultimately define vessel phenotype and function. We have recently discovered a novelmechanoreceptor that dictates formation of atherosclerotic plaques in areas of disturbed flow. Wenow propose to use a cross-disciplinary approach to address the relevance of this mechanoreceptorin human disease; its relevance in physiological responses and its molecular mechanism of action.Completion of this work will not only define fundamental principles in basic science andmechanotransduction, but will opens up new avenues for translational research and therapeuticdevelopment against atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.