关键词: 粥样硬化, 基因表达, 整合素, 剪切力, 信息传递

Abstract: Shear stress can regulate vascular endothelial cell (EC) functions through membrane sensing, intracellular signal transduction, and modulation of gene and protein expressions. Laminar shear stress causes transient increases in the expressions of MCP-1 and the genes and proteins that upregrulate proliferation of ECs. The continued application of such shear flow with a definitive direction, however, causes the down regulation of these molecules and the up regulation of genes and proteins that inhibit growth. Complex flow pattern that does not have a definitive direction causes sustained increases of MCP-1 and the genes and proteins that stimulate proliferation, thus enhancing the invasion of monocytes and the turnover of ECs. In the straight part of the arterial tree, laminar flow prevails and has anti atherogenic effects. In contrast, the disturbed flow at branch points does not have a specific direction and is atherogenic. Therefore, the directionality of shear stress plays an important role in regulation of EC functions in health and disease.

Key words: atherosclerosis, gene expression, integrins, shear stress, signal transduction