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The adherens junctions that anchor cells together are multi-protein complexes that dynamically adapt to mechanical stimuli such as tensile forces and shear stress. Mechanosensory proteins in these junctions can sense such mechanical stimuli and undergo a shift in their conformation, resulting in an altered function — a process called mechanotransduction.
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Mechanically-gated ion channels are proteins found in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell membranes that open in response to mechanical stress. Tension, compression, swelling, and shear stress can alter the conformation of the protein, opening a transmembrane channel that allows the passage of ions for signal transmission. In eukaryotes, mechanically-gated channels are distributed in several regions like the neurons, lungs, skin, bladder, and heart, where they play critical roles in numerous...
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Perturbing Endothelial Biomechanics via Connexin 43 Structural Disruption
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Vascular mechanotransduction.

Michael J Davis1, Scott Earley2, Yi-Shuan Li3,4

  • 1Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.

Physiological Reviews
|January 5, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This review explores mechanotransduction in vascular cells, detailing how they sense and respond to mechanical forces. Understanding these processes is crucial for blood vessel health and disease.

Keywords:
endothelial cellsflow-induced vasodilationshear stressvascular myogenic responsevascular smooth muscle cells

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Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Cellular Mechanobiology

Background:

  • Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) are key players in blood vessel function.
  • These cells constantly sense and respond to mechanical stimuli from blood flow and pressure.
  • Dysregulation of these responses contributes to vascular diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive survey of mechanotransduction in VSMCs and ECs.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which mechanical signals regulate vascular cells.
  • To highlight the implications of mechanotransduction in vascular health and disease.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on mechanotransduction in vascular cells.
  • Discussion of identified mechanosensors (ion channels, receptors, junction proteins).
  • Analysis of mechanosignaling pathways (cytoskeleton, integrins, ECM, signaling molecules).

Main Results:

  • Detailed overview of mechanosensors and signaling pathways in VSMCs and ECs.
  • Explanation of how mechanical forces regulate gene expression and epigenetic modifications.
  • Exploration of the interplay between VSMCs and ECs in response to mechanical cues.

Conclusions:

  • Mechanotransduction is vital for acute and long-term regulation of blood vessels.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand the integrated roles of various cell types and the ECM.
  • A systems-level approach is essential for comprehending vascular physiology and pathophysiology.