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Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Quantifying the Mechanical Properties of the Endothelial Glycocalyx with Atomic Force Microscopy
Published on: February 21, 2013
Increased MMP activity in curved geometries disrupts the endothelial cell glycocalyx creating a proinflammatory
Scott Cooper1, Alexander Emmott1,2, Karli K McDonald1
1Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
Abstract:
Wall shear stress gradients (WSSGs) induce an inflammatory phenotype in endothelial cells (ECs) which is hypothesized to be mediated by mechanotransduction through the EC glycocalyx (GCX). We used a three-dimensional in vitro cell culture model with a 180o curved geometry to investigate if WSSGs created by curvature can cause EC inflammation and disruption of the GCX. The hydrodynamics of the model elicited a morphological response in ECs as well as a pattern of leukocyte adhesion towards the inner wall of curvature that was attenuated with enzymatic removal of GCX components. GCX degradation was also observed in regions of curvature which corresponded to increased activity of MMPs. Together, these results support the hypothesis that the EC GCX is involved in mechanotransduction of WSSGs and that components of the GCX are regulated by MMP activity in regions of curvature.
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