Cardiology Science Lunch Berlina weekly exchange of insights and ideas in cardiovascular medicine
Campus Virchow Klinik
Wednesday, 08.02.2017
12:00 – 13:00h
Bibliothek at DHZBAugustenburger Platz 1, Berlin
x Bibliothek
The following CSLB is on 15.02.2017
Cardiology Science Lunch Berlinis sponsored by
www.sciencelunch.de
PD Dr. Kristina Kusche-VihrogInstitute of Physiology II, University of Muenster
Endothelial Nanomechanicsas Indicator for Vascular Function/Dysfunction
Endothelial stiffness is a mechanical property which reflects the physiological state of anendothelial cell. The degree of endothelial stiffness is important for mediating biophysical/biochemical signals from the blood to the respective tissues. Endothelial cells are constantlyexposed to the hemodynamic traction forces of the streaming blood (e.g. laminar shear stress).This ‘strategic position’ enables the endothelium to control vascular function. Blood flowmediated shear stress rhythmically acts on and deforms endothelial cells at the very surface andthus controls the release of nitric oxide (NO) and consequently vasodilation. Stiffness and NOrelease are tightly coupled in that a soft endothelial cell is easily deformable by the streamingblood and thus the endothelial cell releases increased amounts of NO in comparison to a stiff cell.A reduced bioavailability of NO in the vessel wall leads to impaired vasodilation, a hallmark ofendothelial dysfunction, also termed ‘stiff endothelial cell syndrome’ (SECS). Recently, it wasshown that chronically increased plasma Na+ concentrations (> 140 mM) stiffen endothelial cellsand induce vascular inflammation. The endothelial Na+ channel (EnNaC) was recognized asmediator of these processes.Conditions leading to cell stiffness with regard to cardiovascular pathologies will be discussed inthis Science Lunch.
The Cardiology Science Lunch Teamfrom the Department of Cardiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlinand the Department of Medicine/Cardiology, Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin
Prof. Dr. med. Frank R. Heinzel, Ph.D.Dr. med. Tobias TrippelPD. Dr. Florian Blaschke
Dr. Paulina Wakuła, Ph.D.Christina Gaulhofer, BSc. MSc.Prof. Dr. med. Philipp Stawowy
Univ. Prof. Dr. med. Burkert Pieske
