Shear Stress Induces Synthetic-to-Contractile Phenotypic Modulation in Smooth Muscle Cells via Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor α/δ Activations by Prostacyclin Released by Sheared Endothelial Cells

Abstract

These results indicate that laminar shear stress induces synthetic-to-contractile phenotypic modulation in SMCs through the activation of PPAR-alpha/delta by the EC-released PGI2. Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms underlying the EC-SMC interplays and the protective homeostatic function of laminar shear stress in modulating SMC phenotype.