Vascular endothelial cell morphology and alignment regulate VEGF-induced endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation.

ABSTRACT: Nitric oxide (NO) production by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibits platelet and leukocyte adhesion while promoting vasorelaxation in smooth muscle cells. Dysfunctional regulation of eNOS is a hallmark of various vascular pathologies, notably atherosclerosis, often associated with areas of low shear stress on endothelial cells (ECs). While the link between EC morphology and local hemodynamics is acknowledged, the specific impact of EC morphology on eNOS regulation remains unclear. Morphological differences between elongated, aligned ECs and polygonal, randomly oriented ECs correspond to variations in focal adhesion and cytoskeletal organization, suggesting differing levels of cytoskeletal prestress. However, the functional outcomes of cytoskeletal prestress, particularly in t

SUBMITTER: Bhattacharyya A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11496009 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature