Shear Stress-Induced Gene Expression in Human Endothelial Cells

Cells are surrounded by an extracellular fluid which contains nutrients essential for maintenance of cellular life. The transport of nutrients therefore significantly influences the metabolic function of cells. A single prokaryotic cell can readily obtain enough nutrients from the environment via diffusional transport. For large, multicellular organisms, such as humans, transport by diffusion alone, however, is unable to deliver sufficient nutrients to and remove metabolic wastes from cells. A circulatory system thus exists to provide rapid, convective mass transport throughout the body, supplemented by the diffusional transport between the blood capillaries and the cells via extracellular fluid. In vertebrates the circulatory system supplies the body with nutrients and removes metabolites via blood flow. It is therefore indispensable in maintaining a normal physiological state. Dysfunction of the circulatory system may result in many diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart failure, and hypertension.