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Mechano-Sensing at the Vessel Wall in Regulation of Atherogenesis
Sponsored by The Biomedical Engineering Society
Cell Physiology Track

Endothelial cells transmit mechanical stimuli from flowing blood into intracellular signaling through a process called mechanotransduction. It is well established that fluid shear stress of blood flow under laminar conditions in arteries is anti-inflammatory.  However, disturbed flow, including low and oscillatory shear that occur under geometries of vessel bifurcation and bends in the wall promotes oxidative stress and inflammatory responses with relevance to atherogenesis. This symposium will present computational, optical and molecular approaches to elucidate the role of shear force and concomitant endothelial and adventitial cell stress and strain in atherogenesis. The objective is to present a synopsis of the intricate mechanosensing processes and signaling pathways employed by the endothelium to transduce force into biological events affecting vascular health and progression to disease.