Essentially all organisms from bacteria to humans are mechanosensitive. Physical forces
regulate a large array of physiological processes, and dysregulation of mechanical responses …

A clear relationship between diabetes and cardiovascular disease has been established for
decades. Despite this, the mechanisms by which diabetes contributes to plaque formation …

Mechanical forces are crucial to the regulation of cell and tissue morphology and function. At
the cellular level, forces influence cytoskeletal organization, gene expression, proliferation, …

The formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the large and medium sized arteries is classically
driven by systemic factors, such as elevated cholesterol and blood pressure. However, …

Atherosclerotic plaque forms in regions of the vasculature exposed to disturbed flow. NF-κB
activation by fluid flow, leading to expression of target genes such as E-selectin, ICAM-1, …

The matricellular extracellular matrix protein thrombospondin-1 (TSP1)stimulates focal
adhesion disassembly through a sequence (known as the hep I peptide) in its heparin-binding …

While the opioid epidemic has garnered significant attention, the use of methamphetamines
is growing worldwide independent of wealth or region. Following overdose and accidents, …

Atherosclerotic plaque develops at sites of disturbed flow. We previously showed that flow
activates endothelial cell integrins, which then bind to the subendothelial extracellular matrix (…

Doxorubicin (Dox) is a highly effective anticancer drug but cause acute ventricular dysfunction,
and also induce late-onset cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Despite extensive studies, …

Objective— Smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic modulation, an important component of
atherosclerosis progression, is critically regulated by the matrix, with normal components of …