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Quantifying the Mechanical Properties of the Endothelial Glycocalyx with Atomic Force Microscopy
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Quantifying the Mechanical Properties of the Endothelial Glycocalyx with Atomic Force Microscopy

Published on: February 21, 2013

Flow-dependent concentration polarization and the endothelial glycocalyx layer: multi-scale aspects of arterial mass

P E Vincent1, P D Weinberg

  • 1Department of Aeronautics, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ, UK, p.vincent@imperial.ac.uk.

Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology
|July 10, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Atherosclerosis, a major cause of heart attacks and strokes, is linked to how low-density lipoprotein concentrates on artery walls and the endothelial glycocalyx. Understanding these mass transport processes is key to future research.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of death, driven by arterial mass transport processes.
  • Blood flow and arterial wall properties significantly influence these processes.
  • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration polarization and the endothelial glycocalyx are critical factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review vascular-scale and cellular-scale mass transport processes in atherosclerosis.
  • To focus on LDL concentration polarization and the endothelial glycocalyx.
  • To propose future research directions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and appraisal of existing research.
  • Analysis of vascular-scale mass transport (concentration polarization).
  • Analysis of cellular-scale mass transport (endothelial glycocalyx).

Main Results:

  • Concentration polarization of LDL at the endothelium is a key vascular-scale process.
  • The endothelial glycocalyx is a crucial cellular-scale determinant of arterial wall transport.
  • Both factors are areas of significant recent research interest.

Conclusions:

  • Mass transport processes, specifically LDL concentration polarization and the endothelial glycocalyx, are vital in atherosclerosis development.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate these mechanisms.
  • This review highlights key areas for future investigation into atherosclerosis prevention and treatment.

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