Skip to main content
Figure 2 | Journal of Biomedical Science

Figure 2

From: Shear-induced endothelial mechanotransduction: the interplay between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) and the pathophysiological implications

Figure 2

Roles of ROS/NO in mechano-sensor mediated redox signaling in ECs exposed to shear stress. Hemodynamic shear stress is detected by various mechano-sensors present on the membrane of ECs, triggering a network of signaling pathways that alter gene and protein expression, eventually leading to anti-atherogenic or pro-atherogenic effects on ECs. In this process, ROS triggers oxidative modification and NO triggers S-nitrosation of many target molecules, together with activation of antioxidant and pro-oxidant enzymes to regulate the redox status of ECs. Shear stress with a regular flow pattern (steady or pulsatile) produces lower levels of ROS (hence to be anti-atherogenic) than shear stress with an irregular flow pattern (disturbed or oscillatory) that is pro-atherogenic.

Back to article page