Effects of disturbed flow on endothelial cell function: Pathogenic implications of modified leukocyte recruitment.

Nicholas Matharu, George Rainger, Rajiv Vohra, Gerard Nash

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Numerous studies have shown that intracellular signalling, transcription factor activation and gene expression in endothelial cells are modulated by the magnitude and patterns of shear stress to which they are exposed. Although these responses suggest that the haemodynamic environment will consequently modulate the ability of the endothelial cells to support leukocyte recruitment as part of an inflammatory response, direct evidence is quite sparse. It seems that disturbances of flow (such as local spatial or temporal variation or sudden cessation) are likely to be pathogenic co-factors, combined with mediators such as cytokines, oxidised lipids or hypoxia, in conditions such as atherosclerosis, post-surgical intimal hyperplasia and ischaemia/reperfusion injury. In fact there have been few experimental investigations of these scenarios that include measurement of leukocyte adhesion and migration. We recently demonstrated that the level of steady shear to which EC are exposed has a powerful effect on their ability to support cytokine-induced leukocyte adhesion and migration. However, more combined studies of flow and agonist-mediated responses, with functional readouts, appear necessary if we are to develop a better understanding of the mechanisms pre-disposing to vascular inflammatory responses and pathology.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)31-44
Number of pages14
JournalBiorheology
Volume43
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2006

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effects of disturbed flow on endothelial cell function: Pathogenic implications of modified leukocyte recruitment.'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this