Integration of biochemical and biomechanical signals regulating endothelial barrier function

Virginia Aragon Sanabria, Cheng Dong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Endothelial barrier function is critical for tissue homeostasis throughout the body. Disruption of the endothelial monolayer leads to edema, vascular diseases and even cancer metastasis among other pathological conditions. Breakdown of the endothelial barrier integrity triggered by cytokines (e.g. IL-8, IL-1) and growth factors (e.g. VEGF) is well documented. However, endothelial cells are subject to major biomechanical forces that affect their behavior. Due to their unique location at the interface between circulating blood and surrounding tissues, endothelial cells experience shear stress, strain and contraction forces. More than three decades ago, it was already appreciated that shear flow caused endothelial cells alignment in the direction of the flow. After that observation, it took around 20 years to begin to uncover some of the mechanisms used by the cells for mechanotransduction. In this review, we describe mechanosensors on the endothelium identified to date and the associated signaling pathways that integrate biochemical and biomechanical inputs into biological responses and how they modulate the integrity of the endothelial barrier.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-19
Number of pages19
JournalMCB Molecular and Cellular Biomechanics
Volume15
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2018

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biophysics
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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