Fluid shear stress-induced alignment of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells

The study objectives were to quantify the time- and magnitude-dependence of flow-induced alignment in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) and to identify pathways related to the orientation process. Using an intensity gradient method, we demonstrated that SMC aligned in the direction perpendicular to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of biomechanical engineering Vol. 124; no. 1; p. 37
Main Authors:	Lee, Ann A, Graham, Dionne A, Dela Cruz, Sheila, Ratcliffe, Anthony, Karlon, William J
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States 01-02-2002
Subjects:	Aminoquinolines - administration & dosage Animals Antineoplastic Agents - administration & dosage Blood Flow Velocity Calcium - metabolism Cell Culture Techniques - methods Cell Survival - physiology Chelating Agents - administration & dosage Coronary Vessels - cytology Coronary Vessels - drug effects Coronary Vessels - metabolism Coronary Vessels - physiology Cytochalasin D - administration & dosage Hemorheology - methods Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods Microscopy, Phase-Contrast Models, Cardiovascular Muscle, Smooth, Vascular - cytology Muscle, Smooth, Vascular - drug effects Muscle, Smooth, Vascular - physiology Nocodazole - administration & dosage Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors - administration & dosage Regional Blood Flow - physiology Sensitivity and Specificity Stress, Mechanical
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Summary:	The study objectives were to quantify the time- and magnitude-dependence of flow-induced alignment in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) and to identify pathways related to the orientation process. Using an intensity gradient method, we demonstrated that SMC aligned in the direction perpendicular to applied shear stress, which contrasts with parallel alignment of endothelial cells under flow SMC alignment varied with the magnitude of and exposure time to shear stress and is a continuous process that is dependent on calcium and cycloskeleton based mechanisms. A clear understanding and control of flow-induced SMC alignment will have implications for vascular tissue engineering.
ISSN:	0148-0731
DOI:	10.1115/1.1427697