Browsing by Author "Tamez-Vielma, Linda Selene"

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    Fluid flow and Smad2 affects the response of vascular endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo
    (2016-02-05) Tamez-Vielma, Linda Selene; Rinker, Kristina D.; Moore, Randy; Di Martino, Elena; Proud, David; Ungrin, Mark; Mahinpey, Nader
    Human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) have been observed to respond to fluid flow and shear stress by activating different signalling molecules both in vitro and in vivo. An important example of these flow-activated molecules is Smad2. Smad2 is a signalling molecule and transcription factor that has shown to be indispensable for the maintenance of vascular integrity. The aim of this study was to understand the effect of shear stress and Smad2 knockdown on endothelial gene expression. HAEC were transfected with Smad2 siRNA, and exposed to steady laminar shear stress (10 dyne/cm2). Our results showed that Smad2 siRNA and shear stress significantly up-regulated genes involved in atherosclerosis, heart dysfunction, and angiogenesis. Furthermore, Smad2 siRNA had a negative impact on athero-protective genes under static conditions. This is the first reported Smad2 siRNA gene expression profile of endothelial cells. Our findings suggest that Smad2 may a have a protective role against cardiovascular diseases.