(557b) Novel Flow Patterns Reveal A Localized Mechanoreceptor Of Fluid Shear Stress In Endothelial Cells

Endothelial cell response to the complex hemodynamic environment of the circulatory system is critical to the pathophysiological regulation of the cardiovascular system; however the mechanism by which this signal is transduced remains poorly understood. Using an in vivo guinea pig coarctation model, we have recently found that cells are capable of responding locally to shear stress evidenced by polarized phosphotyrosine protein expression within single cells. These cells are thought to be located at a transition point between two distinct flow regimes, and these results indicate that a flow receptor may be present and activated due to shear at the location of this polarized response. To further tease out the mechanism by which the cells are responding to fluid shear stress at a local level, we have developed an in vitro chamber designed with a series of novel flow patterns. These unique flows produce distinct endothelial cell signaling responses, and are helping to tease out one of the possible mechanoreceptors of fluid shear stress. This talk will discuss the design of the flow chambers and the in vitro findings in the context of the in vivo results.