title: Nanomechanics of vascular endothelium.
abstract: The mechanical characteristics of endothelial cells reveal four distinct compartments, namely glycocalyx, cell cortex, cytoplasm and nucleus. There is accumulating evidence that endothelial nanomechanics of these individual compartments control vascular physiology. Depending on protein composition, filament formation and interaction with cross-linker proteins, these four compartments determine endothelial stiffness. Structural organization and mechanical properties directly influence physiological processes such as endothelial barrier function, nitric oxide release and gene expression. This review will focus on endothelial nanomechanics and its impact on vascular function.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cell Dynamics and Imaging, University of Münster, Münster, Germany, felsj@uni-muenster.de.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fels
authors.forename: Pia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jeggle
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Liashkovich
authors.forename: Wladimir
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oberleithner
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D019276:Glycocalyx / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans