The role of the glycocalyx in reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton under fluid shear stress: a "bumper-car" model.

ABSTRACT: We propose a conceptual model for the cytoskeletal organization of endothelial cells (ECs) based on a major dichotomy in structure and function at basal and apical aspects of the cells. Intracellular distributions of filamentous actin (F-actin), vinculin, paxillin, ZO-1, and Cx43 were analyzed from confocal micrographs of rat fat-pad ECs after 5 h of shear stress. With intact glycocalyx, there was severe disruption of the dense peripheral actin bands (DPABs) and migration of vinculin to cell borders under a uniform shear stress (10.5 dyne/cm2; 1 dyne = 10 microN). This behavior was augmented in corner flow regions of the flow chamber where high shear stress gradients were present. In striking contrast, no such reorganization was observed if the glycocalyx was compromised. These results are

SUBMITTER: Thi MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC534550 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature