Endothelial Plasticity: Shifting Phenotypes through Force Feedback

Figure 3

Endothelial cyclic strain sensing. Endothelial cells sense CS through a number of mechanisms. Stretch-sensitive ion channels undergo a conformational change during stretch which opens up the channel and induces Ca²⁺ flux from the extracellular space into the endothelial cell. Basal β1-integrins anchor to the endothelial basement membrane and activate focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and the integrin-linked kinases (ILK). The G-protein-coupled receptors of /Gα₁₁ sense CS and activate downstream PI3K and Ca²⁺ signaling. Signaling through these stretch sensors culminates in activation of Akt, PKC, PLC, and Erk1/2 which collectively maintain the endothelial phenotype.