Oligosaccharide model of the vascular endothelial glycocalyx in physiological flow.

ABSTRACT: Experiments have consistently revealed the pivotal role of the endothelial glycocalyx layer in vasoregulation and the layer's contribution to mechanotransduction pathways. However, the exact mechanism by which the glycocalyx mediates fluid shear stress remains elusive. This study employs atomic-scale molecular simulations with the aim of investigating the conformational and orientation properties of highly flexible oligosaccharide components of the glycocalyx and their suitability as transduction molecules under hydrodynamic loading. Fluid flow was shown to have nearly no effect on the conformation populations explored by the oligosaccharide, in comparison with static (diffusion) conditions. However, the glycan exhibited a significant orientation change, when compared to simple diffusion,

SUBMITTER: Pikoula M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5847235 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature