Effect of Continuous Supression of Heparan Sulfate on Arterial Endothelial Alignment and Gene Expression Under Several Shear Stress Waveforms

The literature suggests that endothelial cells (ECs) possess many molecules that have mechanosensor capabilities, such as intracellular junction proteins, G proteins, ion channels, integrins, and the glycocalyx [1]. The endothelial glycocalyx is located on the luminal surface of ECs and interacts with the passing blood, thus making it a strong mechanosensor candidate. The glycocalyx is a negatively charged gel layer ranging from 0.5 μm thick in capillaries to 4.5 μm thick in carotid arteries [2]. The glycocalyx consists primarily of sialic acids, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, and heparan sulfate (HS). HS is the most abundant glycosaminoglycan within the glycocalyx, and it is one of the most studied molecules in this layer [3].Copyright © 2010 by ASME