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Biosensors for shear forces on vascular endothelial cells: dynamics of tubulin containing primary cilia
Author(s) -
Hierck BP,
van der Heiden K,
Groenendijk BCW,
Groot AC Gittenbergerde,
deRuiter MC,
Poelmann RE
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.4.a439-c
Subject(s) - mechanotransduction , microtubule , microbiology and biotechnology , cilium , cytoskeleton , chemistry , biology , cell , biochemistry
Background Primary cilia have been associated with fluid sensing capacities of various epithelial cells. These microtubule containing membrane protrusions are tightly connected to the cytoskeleton through the microtubule organizing center that is part of the perinuclear centrosome complex. In vitro , the presence of cilia has been associated to fluid shear stress. Methods and Results We identified cilia on chicken embryonic endothelial cells, in vivo , in areas of low and unsteady shear stress. Moreover, in a bioreactor system, we analysed the role of cilia and their connected cytoskeletal elements in the mechanotransduction process by which endothelial cells react to outside stimuli. To that aim, shear induced gene expression of e.g. Krüppel‐like factor‐2, endothelin‐1 and eNOS was measured by QPCR. This was done before and after experimental disruption of various cytoskeletal elements. Conclusions The presence of cilia is correlated to functional heterogeneity of endothelial cells with respect to their reaction to fluid forces. Endocardial, arterial and venous‐derived endothelial cells exhibit their own specific reaction profiles. Microtubules, and not microfilaments, are necessary for mechanotransduction, a process that involves the distribution of shear forces throughout the cells. Thereby, they regulate cellular deformation and gene expression.