Abstract
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.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Aminoquinolines / administration & dosage
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Animals
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Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
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Blood Flow Velocity
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Calcium / metabolism
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Cell Culture Techniques / methods
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Cell Survival / physiology
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Chelating Agents / administration & dosage
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Coronary Vessels / cytology
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Coronary Vessels / drug effects
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Coronary Vessels / metabolism
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Coronary Vessels / physiology
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Cytochalasin D / administration & dosage
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Hemorheology / methods
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Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods
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Microscopy, Phase-Contrast
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Models, Cardiovascular*
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Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / cytology*
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Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / drug effects
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Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / physiology*
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Nocodazole / administration & dosage
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Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors / administration & dosage
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Regional Blood Flow / physiology
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Sensitivity and Specificity
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Stress, Mechanical
Substances
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Aminoquinolines
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Antineoplastic Agents
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Chelating Agents
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Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors
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Cytochalasin D
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Quin2-acetoxymethyl ester
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Nocodazole
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Calcium