Vascular mechanotransduction

This review aims to survey the current state of mechanotransduction in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs), including their sensing of mechanical stimuli and transduction of mechanical signals that result in the acute functional modulation and longer-term transcriptomic and epigenetic regulation of blood vessels. The mechanosensors discussed include ion channels, plasma membrane-associated structures and receptors, and junction proteins. The mechanosignaling pathways presented include the cytoskeleton, integrins, extracellular matrix, and intracellular signaling molecules. These are followed by discussions on mechanical regulation of transcriptome and epigenetics, relevance of…

• NH
  National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

  Awards: HL121365, HL122578, HL155008, HL106579, HL108735, R35HL155008
• NI
  National Institute of General Medical Sciences

  Award: P20GM130459
• NI
  National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

  Award: RF1NS110044