Mechanoresponse of stem cells for vascular repair

Figure 4 Transduction patterns of mechanical signals into the biological signals, when the shear stress is applied to the cellular surface. This figure describes how the mechanosensitive molecules such as integrins, VEGFR, RTKs, and GPCRs sense the shear stress, induce cytoskeleton reorganization, and activate various signaling pathways including Ras-PI3K-Akt, Ras-JNK, and PKC/PKA-MAPK-Akt. These signaling cascades influence the gene expression of EPC, ultimately regulating vessel maintenance and reformation. VEGFR: Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor; GPCR: G protein-coupled receptor; RTKs: Receptor tyrosine kinases; PKC: Protein kinase C; MAPK: Mitogen-activated protein kinase; ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinase.