Oscillatory Strain Promotes Vessel Stabilization and Alignment through Fibroblast YAP-Mediated Mechanosensitivity.

ABSTRACT: Endothelial cells form the interior layer of blood vessels and, as such, are constantly exposed to shear stress and mechanical strain. While the impact of shear stress on angiogenesis is widely studied, the role of mechanical strain is less understood. To this end, endothelial cells and fibroblasts are cocultured under oscillatory strain to create a vessel network. The two cell types show distinctly different sensitivities to the mechanical stimulation. The fibroblasts, sense the stress directly, and respond by increased alignment, proliferation, differentiation, and migration, facilitated by YAP translocation into the nucleus. In contrast, the endothelial cells form aligned vessels by tracking fibroblast alignment. YAP inhibition in constructs under mechanical strain results in vessel des

SUBMITTER: Landau S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6145399 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature