Mechanics of microvascular remodeling

This paper reviews work on microvascular remodeling that has been done over the past years in our lab. It is not our purpose to fully cover the field; rather we explain our progress in a more or less chronological order. We address physiological and pathological remodeling in resistance vessels, the biomechanics of the vascular wall and the factors that determine vascular caliber. Subsequently, the intimate link between maintained vascular tone and inward remodeling is discussed, and we highlight our view that tone and remodeling form hallmarks in a continuous process of vascular adaptation. Finally, the role of transglutaminases in remodeling is described.