Modelling the Endothelial Cell Response to Fluid Flow

Endothelial cells line blood vessels and respond rapidly to chemical and environmental stimuli. When exposed to shear stress induced by fluid flow, they polarise and elongate in the direction of flow. This response involves changes to the actin cytoskeleton mediated by a number of intracellular signalling molecules, including the GTP-binding proteins Rho, Rac and Cdc42. In vivo, the response of endothelial cells to changes in shear stress has important physiological consequences; regions of turbulent flow are correlated with the locations of atherosclerotic plaques, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes.