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Figure 5 Role of Cytoskeleton in ESS Mechanotransduction

The endothelial cytoskeleton transmits the shear forces to the focal adhesions located at the basal endothelial surface, where a downstream intracellular signaling cascade starts. The shear forces can also be transmitted to mechanoreceptors at the cell–cell junctions, luminal surface, and nucleus (N). Adapted from Davies et al. (45). ESS = endothelial shear stress.